D309 - Borna disease virus

Description:

Borna Disease Virus (BDV) is an RNA virus and causes a disease of the central nervous system in several vertebrate species. The disease can be fatal for sheep and horses (its primary natural hosts) and can infect other species such as rats, cattle, dogs, cats or pigeons. In human beings, Borna Disease Virus could be responsible for certain psychiatric disorders. Clinical signs include paraparesis and ataxia, mental alteration, anorexia, hypersalivation, hypersensitivity to light and sound, visual impairment, and seizure. The signs progress within 1-4 weeks despite treatment with anti-inflammantory and antimicrobial therapy. The viral antigen and nucleic acid of BDV persists in the brain tissue of cats causing chronic inflammatory lesions.
Natural infection with Borna Disease Virus in cats causes widespread, nonsuppurative meningo-encephalomyelitis. Clinical signs of acute disease in cats include a staggering gain, hind limb ataxia, and paresis, giving the infection its common name of “staggering disease”. Subclinical infection with BDV is probably common in cats, because serological surveys reveal large numbers of clinically normal, seropositive cats in Borna disease-endemic areas. No specific treatment for BDV is available, and acutely affected cats may recover.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is presumptive, based on signs and physical findings. Conformation of the diagnosis is made on postmortem examination through PCR identification of BDV in brain tissues.

Sample:

1. Whole blood (3 ml) in a lavender top (EDTA) tube.
2. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissues.

Special Handling:

Store a blood sample and semen at 4°C until pick up or shipment.

Test Code:

D309

1. Nakamura et al. (1999) High prevalence of Borna disease virus in domestic cats with neurological disorders in Japan. Vet. Microbiol. 70(3-4): 153-69.
2. Boucher et al. (1999) Borna disease: a possible emerging zoonosis. Vet. Res., 30(6): 549-57.
3. Nishino et al. (1999) Borna disease virus infection in domestic cats: evaluation by RNA and antibody detection. J Vet. Med. Sci., 61(10): 1167-70.
4. Weissenbock et al. (1998) Borna disease in a dog with lethal meningoencephalitis. J. Clin. Microbiol., 36(7): 2127-30