First Serological Evidence of Borna Disease Virus in Healthy Horses from Yucatan, Mexico

Borna Disease Virus (BDV) causes a progressive non-suppurative meningoencephalitis that sometimes occurs in mortality; this disease has been reported for over two centuries ago in horses, sheep and cats in Central Europe and some regions of Asia. Currently, it is known that it causes neurological symptoms in various species of vertebrates including human beings. In Yucatan, Mexico, there is a single serological report about the circulation of BDV in schizophrenia patients; however, nothing is known about the circulation in animals. We obtained serum samples of 100 horses without apparent clinical signs caused by BDV infection, from various sites in the region. Antibodies against BDV were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) method with three recombinant proteins: BDV p24, BDV p40 and BDV p10 as antigens; obtaining a high seroprevalence of 44% (44/100). This study generates the first report of the probable activity of the BDV in healthy horses in Mexico and has expanded the infiltration area of BDV in the world. Nevertheless, several molecular investigations are required to detect BDV-RNA circulating and find sequences for clarification of the origin of BDV in Mexican horses.