Borna disease, a veterinary problem of regional significance
Metzler, A.; Minder, H.P.; Wegmann, C.; Zindel, W.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 121(4): 207-213
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 451517 Document Number: 150873
Nine cases of Borna disease in horses (6 male, 3 female; 4-9 years) are described. Most occurred between April and July in the Graubunden canton. Symptoms included reduced appetite and the typical signs of apathy and somnolescence with lowered head, and later bulbar paralysis, and regurgitation of food and water. The disease was progressive in one case with motor and sensory disorders after 10-22 days, necessitating euthanasia. The virus was isolated in cell culture from three cases, five were diagnosed histologically and one that recovered was diagnosed serologically. Histological studies showed ganglion-cell degeneration and intranuclear inclusion bodies, neuronophagia, glial proliferation, and perivascular mononuclear infiltration. The disease was considered sporadic and to have an incubation period of 6 months or more.