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Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Seroprevalence in a Cohort of German Forestry Workers

Calvin Mehl1, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit2,3, Beate Becker-Ziaja4

  • 1Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.

Viruses
|January 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Forestry workers in Brandenburg, Germany, show a low prevalence of Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) antibodies, comparable to historical data. This study emphasizes the need for ongoing LCMV surveillance in both humans and rodents.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Forestry workers face occupational exposure to zoonotic pathogens.
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a rodent-borne zoonotic virus.
  • Limited data exists on LCMV prevalence in German wild mice and humans, particularly in Brandenburg.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the seroprevalence of LCMV in forestry workers in Brandenburg, Germany.
  • To assess the current prevalence of LCMV in wild house mice in a neighboring federal state.
  • To provide updated epidemiological data on LCMV in Germany.

Main Methods:

  • Serological screening of 563 blood samples from forestry workers in Brandenburg for LCMV-reactive antibodies.
  • Collection and analysis of blood samples from forestry workers in 2008.
  • Parallel serological pilot study of house mice.

Main Results:

  • LCMV-reactive antibodies were detected in 1.4% (8/563) of forestry workers.
  • Seroprevalence varied by location, with the highest rate (6.3%) in Alt Ruppin.
  • A parallel study indicated very low LCMV prevalence in house mice.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of LCMV infection in humans from Brandenburg.
  • The observed seroprevalence in forestry workers is comparable to historical data from West Germany.
  • Increased LCMV screening efforts in both humans and wild rodents in Germany are recommended.
Keywords:
BrandenburgLCMVantibodieshouse micenorth-east Germanyzoonosis

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