Shrews as reservoir hosts of borna disease virus

Emerg Infect Dis. 2006 Apr;12(4):675-7. doi: 10.3201/eid1204.051418.

Abstract

Borna disease virus (BDV) is the causative agent of severe T-cell-mediated meningoencephalitis in horses, sheep, and other animal species in central Europe. Here we report the first unequivocal detection of a BDV reservoir species, the bicolored white-toothed shrew, Crocidura leucodon, in an area in Switzerland with endemic Borna disease.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Borna Disease / epidemiology
  • Borna Disease / virology
  • Borna disease virus / isolation & purification*
  • Brain / virology
  • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary*
  • Disease Reservoirs / virology
  • Heart / virology
  • Mice
  • Moles / virology
  • Shrews / virology*
  • Switzerland