Experimental animals and in vitro systems in the study of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

The history of lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) research is reviewed from the point of view of whether the main discoveries concerning LCM pathogenesis have stemmed from animal or in vitro research methods. Most of the results initially stemmed from animal experiments, but in recent years recourse has increasingly been made to in vitro techniques to confirm and amplify the animal-based conclusions.Different research approaches are discussed and an attempt is made to assess the role of in vitro versus animal methods in obtaining knowledge on this virus. The same analysis is applied to the future needs and trends in arenavirus research.