Borna disease virus (BDV) infection in cats. A concise review based on current knowledge

Abstract

Persistent viral infections of the central nervous system have been the subject of intense interest for decades. One of these viral agents has been identified as Borna disease virus (BDV) of the family Bornaviridae. There have been various reports that link BDV to staggering disease in cats, with symptoms that include ataxia and behavioural disorders, and the disease is often referred to as feline Borna disease. Serological and molecular detection of BDV has been reported at a higher prevalence in cats with neurological disorders in comparison to healthy cats. The transmission route(s) of BDV remain largely unknown, and the hypothesis that BDV is a zoonotic agent is yet to be proven. This review summarises the current knowledge on BDV infection in cats and discusses epidemiological aspects of infection.