Borna disease virus

Borna disease virus (BDV) is a neurotropic virus that causes Borna disease in mammals. This virus belongs to the family Bornaviridae, which is within the order Mononegavirales. BDV is the only member of the genus Bornavirus and is named after the town of Borna, Saxony, Germany, where the disease was first identified in horses in the late 19th century.

History

The Borna disease virus was first identified in the late 19th century in the town of Borna, Saxony, Germany. The disease was named after the town where it was first discovered. The virus was initially associated with a neurological disease in horses and sheep, but it has since been found to infect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans.

Structure and Genome

BDV is a non-segmented, negative-strand RNA virus. The virus has a unique replication strategy that involves the transcription of viral RNA into mRNA in the nucleus of the host cell, which is unusual for a non-retroviral RNA virus. The genome of BDV is approximately 8.9 kilobases in length and encodes six proteins.

Transmission and Disease

BDV is transmitted primarily through direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids. The virus can also be transmitted vertically from mother to offspring. Infection with BDV can lead to a wide range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic infection to severe neurological disease. In humans, BDV infection has been associated with a number of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, although the causal relationship between BDV infection and these disorders remains controversial.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of BDV infection is typically based on the detection of BDV-specific antibodies or BDV RNA in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid of the patient. Treatment for BDV infection is primarily supportive, as there are currently no antiviral drugs approved for the treatment of this infection.

Research and Future Directions

Research on BDV has provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of viral persistence and pathogenesis. Future research on BDV will likely focus on the development of effective antiviral therapies and vaccines, as well as further elucidating the potential role of BDV in human psychiatric disorders.

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