Abstract

• First Described: Staggering disease was first described in the 1970s in Sweden (Kronevi et al., 1974). It was linked to BoDV infection in 1995 in Sweden (Lundgren et al., 1995)

• Causes: Borna disease virus (BoDV) (species Mammalian 1 orthobornavirus), family Bornaviridae.

• Affected Hosts: Mammalian 1 orthobornavirus mainly affects horses and sheep, but also cats, dogs, other equids, and ungulates.

• Geographic Distribution: Europe (endemic in horses and sheep in Central Europe; in cats mainly reported in Sweden), worldwide serologic evidence of exposure in various species.

• Primary Mode of Transmission: Not entirely known. Reservoirs (small mammals) have been suggested.

• Major Clinical Signs: Gait disturbances and behavioral changes.

• Differential Diagnoses: Other feline encephalitides and neoplastic diseases affecting the CNS.

• Human Health Significance: A variant bornavirus (Mammalian 2 orthobornavirus) has been associated with three cases of fatal encephalitis in breeders of variegated squirrels. Also, at least eight cases of BoDV-1 in humans have been described further emphasizing the zoonotic potential for BoDV-1, especially in endemic regions. Suggested association of BoDV and neuropsychiatric disorders in humans is however still highly controversial.

Published in

Title: Greene's Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat : Fifth Edition
ISBN: 978-0-323-50934-3
Publisher: Elsevier

SLU Authors

• Johansson Wensman, Jonas

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Berg, Mikael

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-50934-3.00042-2

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/121948