[Epidemiological investigation on natural infection to Borna disease virus (BDV) among horses in Yili, Xinjiang].

This research investigates the presence and infection pattern of Borna disease virus (BDV) in horses in Yili, Xinjiang and analyzes the genetic similarities with other forms of the BDV.

Methodology

• The researchers established a modified nested RT-PCR (nRT-PCR) technique, a variant of a common diagnostic method used to detect and measure the presence of specific genetic material in test samples.
• They used this technique to detect the presence of BDV p24 segment—a specific portion of the BDV genome—in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and brain tissues of 120 horses in Yili, Xinjiang.

Results

• The positive rate of BDV infection, as indicated by the presence of BDV p24 segment, was 2.5%. This means out of 120 horses tested, 2.5% had BDV in both their PBMCs and brain tissues.
• The researchers analyzed the genetic sequences derived from the positive BDV samples. They observed a more than 93% match with the genetic sequences of BDV derived from horses in other countries.
• They further noticed a high degree of identity—more than 98%—with the ‘standard strain He/80’, another commonly studied strain of BDV.

Conclusion

• The study affirmed the presence of the BDV natural infection in horses in Yili, Xinjiang. This means these horses naturally contracted the BDV, and it wasn’t transmitted experimentally.
• The BDV strain infecting these horses was found to share high genetic similarity (>98%) with the standard strain He/80, adding to the knowledge of BDV’s genetic diversity.
• The presence of BDV infection among horses in Yili, Xinjiang, stresses the need for increased veterinary surveillance and preventive measures to protect equine health and control potential sources of infection.