borna disease

Borna Disease: A Rare Neurological Disorder

Borna disease, also known as sad horse disease, is an infectious neurological syndrome caused by Borna disease viruses 1 and 2 (BoDV-1/2) [9]. This rare condition affects warm-blooded animals, including horses, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, birds, and primates [14].

Characteristics of the Disease

The disease is characterized by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, leading to a range of neurological symptoms. These can include:

• Ataxia (loss of coordination)
• Abnormal depressive behavior
• Fever accompanied by headaches in humans
• Behavioral and neurologic disorders

In severe cases, Borna disease can culminate in death [2].

Transmission

The virus is transmitted through contaminated food and water, which are often secretions from infected animals. This highlights the importance of proper hygiene and quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

History of the Disease

Borna disease was first described over 200 years ago in southern Germany as a fatal neurologic disease of horses and sheep [6]. The name "Borna" is derived from the town near Leipzig, Ger., where a severe outbreak occurred in 1894 [3].

Impact on Humans

While rare cases of human fatalities have been reported, Borna disease primarily affects animals. However, it's essential to note that humans can be infected, and symptoms may include fever, headaches, and behavioral disorders [7].

References:

[1] Not applicable

[2] 2. The disease is characterised by ataxia and abnormal depressive behaviour, frequently culminating in death.

[3] Borna disease, a viral disease of warm-blooded animals, notably horses and sheep, characterized by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Named for a severe outbreak at Borna, near Leipzig, Ger., in 1894, it is transmitted by food and water contaminated by secretions of infected animals.

[6] Borna disease (BD), first described more than 200 years ago in southern Germany as a fatal neurologic disease of horses and sheep, owes its name to the town ...

[7] by A Ebinger · 2024 — Affected individuals usually develop fever accompanied by headaches in humans, followed by a broad range of behavioural and neurologic disorders ...

[9] Borna disease, also known as sad horse disease, is an infectious neurological syndrome caused by Borna disease viruses 1 and 2 (BoDV-1/2).

[14] An infectious encephalopathy of warm-blooded animals, including ruminants (e.g., cattle, horses, sheep), foxes, dogs, cats, birds and primates, which occurs in Central Europe, caused by the Borna virus.

Borna Disease Signs and Symptoms

Borna disease, also known as sad horse disease, is a severe neurological illness that predominantly affects warm-blooded animals, particularly horses and sheep. The symptoms of Borna disease can vary depending on the stage of the disease, but here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Initial clinical signs: Changes in personality and sensorium, deliberate and slow movements, general hypokinesia (reduced movement), postural unawareness, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), anorexia (loss of appetite), colic (abdominal pain), and constipation [1][2][9].
• Behavioral disturbances: Mood disturbances, behavior disturbances, cognitive disturbances, neurologic disturbances, and movement impairment [5][6].
• Neurological problems: Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to severe neurological symptoms [13].

It's essential to note that Borna disease is a rare and fatal encephalitis in horses and sheep, with outbreaks most often seen in central Germany. If you suspect your animal has Borna disease, it's crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately.

References: [1] - Context 1 [2] - Context 1 [5] - Context 5 [6] - Context 6 [9] - Context 9 [13] - Context 13

Current Treatments for Borna Disease

Borna disease, a severe neurological illness affecting warm-blooded animals, has no specific treatment available. However, research has explored various antiviral therapies to combat the disease.

• Amantadine: Studies have shown that oral amantadine treatment at a well-tolerated dose of 200 mg/day for at least 6 weeks can be effective in reducing symptoms of Borna disease [1][4].
• Favipiravir (T-705): This antiviral medication has been found to be effective in reducing various viral loads, making it a promising candidate for treating Borna disease [3].
• Ribavirin: Although not specifically studied as a treatment for Borna disease, ribavirin has shown promise in experimental studies against other viruses.
• Combination therapy: A combination of TD-Borna with T-705 exhibited the strongest antiviral effect, suggesting that multiple treatments may be more effective than single-agent therapies [9].

Challenges and Limitations

While these treatments show promise, there are significant challenges to overcome before they can be widely adopted. These include:

• Limited understanding: The pathogenesis of Borna disease is not fully understood, making it difficult to develop targeted treatments.
• Lack of specific treatment: Currently, no specific treatment for animals with classical Borna disease exists [5].
• Zoonotic potential: The zoonotic potential of Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) has been demonstrated, highlighting the need for effective treatments that can prevent transmission between species.

Future Directions

Further research is needed to develop more effective and specific treatments for Borna disease. This includes:

Differential Diagnosis of Borna Disease

Borna disease, also known as sad horse disease, is a fatal neurologic disorder caused by the Borna disease virus (BoDV-1/2). Due to its severe symptoms and high mortality rate, it's essential to consider differential diagnosis when suspecting this condition in animals or humans.

Differential Diagnosis Considerations

According to various studies [3][4], premortem diagnosis of Borna disease is challenging due to the similarity of clinical signs with other diseases. Some of these conditions include:

• Rabies: A viral infection that affects the nervous system, causing aggression, confusion, and eventually death.
• Tetanus: A bacterial infection characterized by muscle stiffness, spasms, and rigidity.
• Lymphocytic sclerosing panencephalomyelitis: A rare neurological disorder caused by a viral infection.

Diagnostic Challenges

Diagnosing Borna disease requires careful consideration of the patient's medical history, clinical signs, and laboratory results. As mentioned in [5], ante mortem diagnosis is often made by elimination of other causes, followed by postmortem examination, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry of CNS gray matter.

Key Diagnostic Features

Some key features that may indicate Borna disease include:

• Behavioral abnormalities: Changes in behavior, such as hyperactivity, stunted growth, learning deficiencies, altered taste preference, and loss of hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells [7].
• Neurological symptoms: Staggering disease, encephalomyelitis, and immune-mediated encephalomyelitis are all associated with Borna disease [4][13].

Importance of Accurate Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and management of Borna disease. Misdiagnosis can lead to delayed or inappropriate treatment, which may worsen the patient's condition.

References:

[3] D Gonzalez–Dunia · 1997 · Cited by 110 [4] JJ Wensman · 2012 · Cited by 20 [5] Borna disease virus (BDV) causes CNS disease in several vertebrate species characterized by behavioral abnormalities. [7] NBD causes hyperactivity, stunted growth, learning deficiencies, altered taste preference, and loss of hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells, cerebellar ... [13] Recent studies have shown that two bornaviruses, Borna disease virus 1 and variegated squirrel bornavirus 1, can cause fatal encephalomyelitis in humans.