Webinar summary:

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a single-stranded RNA arenavirus commonly used in laboratory animal models to examine acute and chronic viral infections and immunopathology. However, there is wide variation in LCMV biosafety practices between institutions, based on differing interpretations of guidelines and risk data. This lack of consensus can pose a challenge to the biosafety professional who may be evaluating LCMV use at their facility. The first part of this presentation will compare the two most common laboratory strains of LCMV, demonstrate the variation in biosafety policy between institutions, and discuss one institution’s recent approach to navigating the use of this virus.

Outside of the laboratory, LCMV has also become a promising viral vector with potential use in immunizations and immunotherapy. The second portion of this presentation will examine the applications of LCMV in a clinical setting, discussing the biosafety practices necessary for the safe handling of LCMV-based human gene therapies, focusing on the clinical risk assessment associated with recombinant forms of LCMV. Considerations for the safety of clinical subjects, staff, and close contacts will be explored.   Presented by Caitlyn Hauke, PhD, Clinical Biosafety Services Erik Pietrowicz, Dartmouth College