The neuropathogenesis of Borna disease virus infections

Intervirology
H Ludwig, L Bode

Abstract

The unique genetic and biological properties of this small enveloped RNA virus indicate that Borna disease virus (BDV) is an evolutionary old pathogen. It appears perfectly adapted to persist inside the limbic system, a most delicate and sensitive old area of the mammalian brain involved in the control of mood, behavior, and memory. In many infected individuals, BDV remains a commensal during their lifetime. In a minority of vulnerable subjects, BDV becomes frequently activated, leading to episodes of distinct, more or less severe disturbances of information processing, behavioral and mood alterations. BDV research in humans is anticipated to initiate new insights into the interplay of exogenous and endogenous factors governing mood disorders. In nature BDV preferentially behaves as a neurotropic virus, but may latently and/or persistently infect cells of the reticuloendothelial system. This has been shown to be of great diagnostic importance, because now BDV 'footprints' can be followed in vivo in animals and man. BDV, which has long been considered as a classical animal virus, is present in humans, and has been found to be associated with some defined psychiatric disorders in particularly vulnerable individuals. An interactio...Continue Reading

Citations

Nov 9, 2011·Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·Danièlle A Gunn-Moore, Nicki Reed
Jan 4, 2005·The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice·Danièlle Gunn-Moore
Jun 14, 2002·Biological Psychiatry·Christian BillichMartin Schwemmle
Sep 21, 2001·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·W HirsteinV S Ramachandran
Dec 5, 1998·The Veterinary Record·N A ReevesD A Harbour

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