BACKGROUND: Borna disease virus (BDV) can infect many vertebrate species, including humans. BDV infection may lead to meningoencephalomyelitis in animals. An association with human neuropsychiatric diseases has been reported, but the causal relationship between BDV and human disease remains unclear. OBJECTIVES AND STUDY DESIGN: To find out whether BDV is present in Finland and to look for a potential reservoir, we examined a large panel of blood samples from different vertebrate species with immunofluorescence assay. Samples from horses, cats, dogs, sheep, cattle, large predators, grouse, wild rodents and humans were included. Most positive results were confirmed by other specific methods and in other laboratories. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: BDV-specific antibodies were detected in 10 horses, 2 cats, as well as 2 horses and 1 dog from farms housing a previously detected seropositive horse. Interestingly, BDV-specific antibodies were further detected in three wild rodents. In humans, BDV-specific antibodies were detected in a veterinarian and in two patients suspected to have a Puumala hantavirus infection. Our serological analysis suggests that BDV infects various vertebrates in Finland, including humans. Furthermore, our data indicate for the first time that BDV infects also wild rodents.
BACKGROUND:Borna disease virus (BDV) can infect many vertebrate species, including humans. BDVinfection may lead to meningoencephalomyelitis in animals. An association with humanneuropsychiatric diseases has been reported, but the causal relationship between BDV and human disease remains unclear. OBJECTIVES AND STUDY DESIGN: To find out whether BDV is present in Finland and to look for a potential reservoir, we examined a large panel of blood samples from different vertebrate species with immunofluorescence assay. Samples from horses, cats, dogs, sheep, cattle, large predators, grouse, wild rodents and humans were included. Most positive results were confirmed by other specific methods and in other laboratories. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:BDV-specific antibodies were detected in 10 horses, 2 cats, as well as 2 horses and 1 dog from farms housing a previously detected seropositive horse. Interestingly, BDV-specific antibodies were further detected in three wild rodents. In humans, BDV-specific antibodies were detected in a veterinarian and in two patients suspected to have a Puumala hantavirus infection. Our serological analysis suggests that BDV infects various vertebrates in Finland, including humans. Furthermore, our data indicate for the first time that BDV infects also wild rodents.
Authors: Paula Maria Kinnunen; Hanna Inkeroinen; Mette Ilander; Eva Riikka Kallio; Henna Pauliina Heikkilä; Esa Koskela; Tapio Mappes; Airi Palva; Antti Vaheri; Anja Kipar; Olli Vapalahti Journal: PLoS One Date: 2011-08-22 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Chloé Scordel; Alexandra Huttin; Marielle Cochet-Bernoin; Marion Szelechowski; Aurélie Poulet; Jennifer Richardson; Alexandra Benchoua; Daniel Gonzalez-Dunia; Marc Eloit; Muriel Coulpier Journal: PLoS Pathog Date: 2015-04-29 Impact factor: 6.823