title: Serological evidence for infections with Borna disease virus in Turkey.
abstract: Distribution of Borna disease virus (BDV) infection outside endemic areas has been studied in several countries. We examined serum samples for anti-BDV antibodies in purebred racing horses and other domestic animals in Turkey. In total serum samples of 437 animals including 282 horses, 50 sheep, 25 goats, 50 cattle, and 30 cats were tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Anti-BDV antibodies were detected in 4.9% of horses, 12% of sheep, 4% of goats, 14% of cattle and 6.6% of cats. No statistical difference was observed between seroprevalence in Arabic and English purebred horses from four different racing centers (p > 0.05). Antibody titers ranged between 1:10 and 1:320. The highest antibody titers were found in sheep and horses and the lowest titer in cattle. Clinical symptoms of Borna disease were not observed in any animal of any species examined. This study confirms the presence of anti-BDV antibodies in racing horses as well as cat population in Turkey. Moreover anti-BDV antibodies are demonstrated for the first time in sheep, goats and cattle in Turkey.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Uludag University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bursa-Turkey. kyesilbag@uludag.edu.tr
authors.forename: Kadir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yeşilbağ
authors.forename: Sibylle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kennerman
authors.forename: Pelin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tuncer
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Güney
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: Heinz-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Thiel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001890:Borna Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D001891:Borna disease virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D006041:Goats; D006736:Horses; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012756:Sheep; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral