High prevalence of Borna disease virus in domestic cats with neurological disorders in Japan

A total of 15 (T-1-T-15) domestic cats with neurological disorders in Tokyo area were examined for association with Borna disease virus (BDV), None ha d detectable antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leuk emia virus, feline infectious peritonitis virus and Toxoplasma gondii, and only cat T-8 had detectable antibody to FIV. Serological and molecular epid emiological studies revealed a significantly high prevalence of BDV infecti on in these cats: antibodies against BDV p24 and/or p40 proteins in 10/15 ( 66.7%) and p24 and/or p40 RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 8/15 (53,3%), Further, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analyses of the autopsied brain samples derived from one of the cats (T-15) revealed BDV RNA predominantly in neuronal cells in restricted regions, such as olf actory bulb and medulla of cerebrum. Thus, BDV is present in Japanese domes tic cats with neurological disorders at a high prevalence. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science B,V, All rights reserved.