Bornavirus disease in humans?
Borna Disease Virus
genome?
Enveloped -ssRNA
Pathogenesis
Neurotropic. spreads throughout CNS.
establishes persistent infection. T cell immune responses important but also cause damage.
symptoms
limited understanding in humans. presence of antibodies to virus in patients with schizophrenia, autism, and other neurapsychiatric diseases. suggests BDV either causes or exacerbates.
epidemiology
zoonosis in horses and sheep. no reservoir or mode of transmission known.
Diagnosis
RT-PCR
serologic analysis of antibody to viral proteins
Treatment
no vaccine, ribavirin.