Borna disease virus (BDV), a noncytolytic neurotropic nonsegmented negative
-stranded RNA virus with a wide geographic distribution, infects several ve
rtebrate animal species and causes an immune-mediated central nervous syste
m (CNS) disease with various manifestations, depending on both host and vir
al factors. In animal infections, BDV can persist in the CNS and induce alt
erations in brain cell functions, neurodevelopmental abnormalities and beha
vioral disturbances. An association between BDV and psychiatric disorders (
essentially schizophrenia and affective disorders) has been suggested by so
me serologic and molecular studies but further investigations are required
to substantiate the possible contribution of this virus to the pathogenesis
of these disorders. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier
SAS.