German researchers have identified eight fatal cases of Borna disease. The virus responsible for this deadly inflammation of the brain is carried by rodents and could explain other deaths that have so far been unexplained.
A new diagnosis to explain eight deaths. Fatal cases of Borna disease have been newly identified in patients with previously unexplained viral encephalitis, according to German researchers. All of these patients died between 1999 and 2019, and lived in southern Germany, according to this study published on January 8, 2020 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The researchers believe other cases could be diagnosed.
Fever, headache, loss of consciousness…
But what does this disease correspond to? Borna virus or bornavirus carried by a rodent, sometimes confused with a mouse, the two-colored shrew with white teeth (Crocidura leucodon). Borna disease, which owes its name to a German city, was described at the end of the 18th century. It is an inflammation of the brain and meninges non purulent affecting in particular horses and sheep.
Infected people experience fever, headache and confusion and then show signs of brain disease such as unsteady gait, memory loss, convulsions and progressive loss of consciousness.
The study involved 56 patients who had developed signs of encephalitis in the past 20 years. It allowed brain tissue analyzes of deceased patients. The condition of subjects with Borna’s disease deteriorated rapidly after admission to hospital, resulting in coma deep and death within 16 to 57 days of admission.
Animal contact transmission?
However, the authors note a limit to their study: they have not been able to establish an exact route of transmission from shrews to humans. However, the information available on 14 patients shows contact with animals, life in rural or suburban areas, agricultural work and other outdoor activities for most of them. In at least seven cases, close contact with cats have been reported. When cats hunt, they can introduce shrews into homes and expose humans to them. Shrews infected with this virus are present in southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
“Relaunch research on the Borna virus”
While waiting for a better understanding of the mode of transmission of bornavirus, the researchers suggest carrying out tests more often for the presence of this virus in the event of nervous system disorders of rapid course and of unknown cause, in order to be able to establish the true extent of the infection in humans.
The role of the virus has aroused “several decades of controversy“, But “it’s time to relaunch research on the human borna virus” integrating “knowledge of these confirmed cases“in patients, estimates in a comment in the review, doctor Tomoyuki Honda of the University of Osaka (Japan).
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