Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Borna disease virus in cats - prevention and management tips
By Lutz, Hans et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2015·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Borna disease virus infection in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.
Plain-English summary
A cat with Borna disease virus (BDV) infection may show signs like unsteady walking, back pain, and changes in behavior. This virus primarily affects the nervous system, leading to a condition known as staggering disease. While the exact way BDV spreads is not fully understood, it is believed that access to forested areas may increase the risk of infection. Diagnosis typically involves testing for viral RNA in samples from affected cats. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment mentioned, but recognizing the symptoms early can help in managing the condition.
People also search for: cat staggering disease symptoms · Borna disease in cats treatment · why is my cat unsteady on its feet
Abstract
OVERVIEW: Borna disease virus (BDV) has a broad host range, affecting primarily horses and sheep, but also cattle, ostriches, cats and dogs. In cats, BDV may cause a non-suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis ('staggering disease'). INFECTION: The mode of transmission is not completely elucidated. Direct and indirect virus transmission is postulated, but BDV is not readily transmitted between cats. Vectors such as ticks may play a role and shrews have been identified as a potential reservoir host. Access to forested areas has been reported to be an important risk factor for staggering disease. DISEASE SIGNS: It is postulated that BDV may infect nerve endings in the oropharynx and spread via olfactory nerve cells to the central nervous system. A strong T-cell response may contribute to the development of clinical disease. Affected cats develop gait disturbances, ataxia, pain in the lower back and behavioural changes. DIAGNOSIS: For diagnostic purposes, detection of viral RNA by reverse transcription PCR in samples collected from cats with clinical signs of Borna disease can be considered diagnostic. Serology is of little value; cats without signs of Borna disease may be seropositive and yet not every cat with BDV infection has detectable levels of antibodies. HUMAN INFECTION: A hypothesis that BDV infection may be involved in the development of selected neurological disorders in man could not be confirmed. A research group within the German Robert Koch Institute studied the potential health threat of BDV to humans and concluded that BDV was not involved in the aetiology of human psychiatric diseases.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26101313/