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[Immunopathology of Borna disease in the horse: clinical, virological and neuropathologic findings].
Abstract: Tissues from nine horses and one donkey suffering from natural Borna disease were investigated. Clinically, all animals demonstrated progressive reduced mentation and aggravating gait disturbances. During the clinical course anorexia and progressive loss of proprioception were observed. Cranial nerve failure was accompanied by signs of pharyngeal paralysis, sialorrhea, bruxism, and by blindness. Virologically, infectious virus was detected in the brain of all animals investigated but was not found regularly in all areas of the brain. However, in all cases, infectivity was found in the thalamus and the hippocampal area. In contrast, in other compartments of the central nervous system virus was not detected regularly. These findings correlate well to the results obtained from assaying Borna virus-specific RNA by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and virus specific antigen by immunohistochemistry. No evidence of infection was found in the autonomic nervous system and peripheral organs. Immunomorphologically, lymphocytic inflammatory reactions and increased expressions of MHC class I and class II antigen were found in the brain as well as in the trigeminal and olfactory system. No evidence of inflammation was found in the retina. From the finding that BDV-proteins and nucleic acids were even more abundant in the trigeminal system as compared to the olfactory system, we conclude that infection may have occurred via the trigeminal nerve.
Publication Date: 1996-12-01 PubMed ID: 9139422 The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- English Abstract
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the pathological effects of Borna disease in horses, highlighting the neurological signs, disease progression, and virological evidence in the brain and nervous system. The study finds that horses infected with Borna disease exhibit reduced mental function and issues with gait, and this is likely linked to the presence of the virus in the thalamus and hippocampus of the horse’s brain.
Clinical Findings
- The study observed consistent clinical symptoms in afflicted horses, including decreased mental function and movement issues. Symptoms also escalated to anorexia and loss of proprioception (awareness of the position of one’s body), showing the progressive nature of the disease.
- Cranial nerve failure was demonstrated by paralysis of the animal’s pharynx, excessive salivation, teeth grinding and blindness.
Virology and Immunopathology
- Upon examination, infectious Borna virus was present in all the animal brains studied but did not appear uniformly in all brain areas. Specifically, the virus was consistently found in the thalamus and the hippocampal area, suggesting these areas may be particularly susceptible.
- Methods used to detect virus presence included Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction assay and immunohistochemistry, which detect virus-specific RNA and antigen respectively.
- Other compartments of the central nervous system did not regularly yield the virus, and no infection was found in the peripheral nervous system or peripheral organs.
- The scientists also observed lymphocytic inflammatory reactions and increased expressions of MHC class I and II antigens in the brain, indicating an immune response to the Borna disease virus.
Infection Route
- Given the abundance of Borna disease virus proteins and nucleic acids in the trigeminal system compared to the olfactory system, the researchers propose that infection may occur through the trigeminal nerve.
- The trigeminal nerve is one of the key nerves in the horse’s head and if affected, it can lead to many of the observed symptoms.
Cite This Article
APA
Bilzer T, Grabner A, Stitz L.
(1996).
[Immunopathology of Borna disease in the horse: clinical, virological and neuropathologic findings].
Tierarztl Prax, 24(6), 567-576.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institut für Neuropathologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal
- Borna Disease / immunology
- Borna Disease / pathology
- Borna Disease / physiopathology
- Borna Disease / virology
- Borna disease virus / isolation & purification
- Brain / immunology
- Brain / virology
- Equidae
- Female
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Male
- Nervous System / pathology
- Nervous System / physiopathology
- Nervous System / virology
- Viral Proteins / analysis
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Liatis T, Madden M, Marioni-Henry K. Bruxism in awake dogs as a clinical sign of forebrain disease: 4 cases. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Nov;36(6):2132-2141.
- More S, Bøtner A, Butterworth A, Calistri P, Depner K, Edwards S, Garin-Bastuji B, Good M, Gortázar Schmidt C, Michel V, Miranda MA, Nielsen SS, Raj M, Sihvonen L, Spoolder H, Stegeman JA, Thulke HH, Velarde A, Willeberg P, Winckler C, Baldinelli F, Broglia A, Dhollander S, Beltrán-Beck B, Kohnle L, Bicout D. Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): Borna disease. EFSA J 2017 Jul;15(7):e04951.
- . Scientific Opinion on the public health hazards to be covered by inspection of meat from sheep and goats. EFSA J 2013 Jun;11(6):3265.
- . Bornavirus : Stellungnahmen des Arbeitskreises Blut des Bundesministeriums für Gesundheit. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2019 Apr;62(4):519-532.
- Schindler AR, Vögtlin A, Hilbe M, Puorger M, Zlinszky K, Ackermann M, Ehrensperger F. Reverse transcription real-time PCR assays for detection and quantification of Borna disease virus in diseased hosts. Mol Cell Probes 2007 Feb;21(1):47-55.
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