[Role of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in the etiology of congenital hydrocephalus].

By the indirect immunofluorescence test, antibodies to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in titers of 1:32 to 1:512 detected in 12 out of 32 infants under 1 with congenital hydrocephalus. The majority of the mothers of these infants were also shown to possess these antibodies in low and moderate titers. The assumption that lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infecting the fetus in utero may cause the development of hydrocephalus is substantiated. In 11 of 12 seropositive infants foci of chorioretinal degeneration were found.