Antibodies against viral nucleo-, phospho-, and X protein contribute to serological diagnosis of fatal Borna disease virus 1 infections.
Neumann Bernhard,Angstwurm Klemens,Linker Ralf A,Knoll Gertrud,Eidenschink Lisa,Rubbenstroth Dennis,Schlottau Kore,Beer Martin,Schreiner Patrick,Soutschek Erwin,Böhmer Merle M,Lampl Benedikt M J,Pregler Matthias,Scheiter Alexander,Evert Katja,Zoubaa Saida,Riemenschneider Markus J,Asbach Benedikt,Gessner André,Niller Hans Helmut,Schmidt Barbara,Bauswein Markus
Cell reports. Medicine
Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) causes rare but often fatal encephalitis in humans. Late diagnosis prohibits an experimental therapeutic approach. Here, we report a recent case of fatal BoDV-1 infection diagnosed on day 12 after hospitalization by detection of BoDV-1 RNA in the cerebrospinal fluid. In a retrospective analysis, we detect BoDV-1 RNA 1 day after hospital admission when the cell count in the cerebrospinal fluid is still normal. We develop a new ELISA using recombinant BoDV-1 nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein, and accessory protein X to detect seroconversion on day 12. Antibody responses are also shown in seven previously confirmed cases. The individual BoDV-1 antibody profiles show variability, but the usage of three different BoDV-1 antigens results in a more sensitive diagnostic tool. Our findings demonstrate that early detection of BoDV-1 RNA in cerebrospinal fluid and the presence of antibodies against at least two different viral antigens contribute to BoDV-1 diagnosis. Physicians in endemic regions should consider BoDV-1 infection in cases of unclear encephalopathy and initiate appropriate diagnostics at an early stage.
10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100499