Association of Borna disease virus with autism spectrum disorder in Turkish children

Abstract

Aim: Autism spectrum disorders are lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders whose pathogeneses are not fully understood. Borna disease virus is a neurotropic virus that affects the central nervous system. Considering the neuropsychiatric and behavioral effects of the virus, it can be suggested that it may play a role in autism spectrum disorder. However, there are insufficient evidence to support this. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of Borna disease virus in patients with autism spectrum disorders and healthy controls. Methods: This case-control study, performed in children with autism spectrum disorders and a control group, included patients with autism who visited the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinic between December 2017 -December 2018. Borna virus positivity was assayed with the ELISA method in serum samples. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The study included 63 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and 31 healthy controls. The age range of autism patients was 3-14 years, their mean age was 7.83 (1.96) years, and The Childhood Autism Rating Scale score was 51.09 (5.71). The seropositivity rate for Borna disease virus in the autism and healthy control groups were 25.39% and 25.80%, respectively (P=0.966). For all patients, seropositivity rate was 25.53%. Conclusion: No relationship was found between autism spectrum disorders and Borna disease virus. The clinical significance of Borna disease virus positivity in society is unknown. We conclude that Borna disease virus is not involved in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders.

BoDV-1 Infection in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Of the aforementioned studies, four reported on the seroprevalence for anti-BoDV-1 immunoglobulins [ 49 , 50 , 51 , 67 ]. All of these were performed by means of enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), but significant heterogeneities were identified.…”

“…The study from Özcan et al also relied on a homemade ELISA [ 50 , 70 ], which was obtained through a different strategy, and which only targeted p40 antigen. On the contrary, in the study by Yildirim et al [ 49 ], a commercial kit (Abbexa) was applied using precoated polyclonal anti-BoDV-1 IgG to detect antigens. Nothing was provided about the test protocol and the targeted antigens.…”

“…In 216 children and adolescents, prevalence rates were reported for both BoDV-1 antigens and reactive immunoglobulins. Prevalence rates for BoDV-1 immunoglobulins ranged between no cases [ 67 ] and 20.3% [ 49 ], with a total of 44 cases (crude rate of 1.7%). Prevalence of CIC was provided by four studies and a total of 12 estimates [ 51 , 67 , 68 , 69 ], and the corresponding summary is provided as Appendix A Table A2 .…”

“…Interestingly, half of the included studies had been performed in Italy [ 67 , 68 , 69 ], and one of them reported on the seroprevalence of BoDV-1 antigens from a total nine estimates [ 69 ], including 90.5% of all of the samples. Two further studies did report on Turkish children [ 49 , 50 ] and both of them included only estimates on BoDV-1 antibodies. The sixth study, meanwhile, was based in Germany, and it reported on both antigen and antibody seropositive status [ 51 ].…”

“…[ 15 , 16 , 20 ], both zoonotic versus human-to-human transmission driven by otherwise healthy carriers should be considered [ 12 , 40 ]. Even though two recent and large studies from Germany have suggested that the seroprevalence of BoDV-1 may be <1%, even in areas characterized by the active circulation of the pathogen [ 4 , 47 , 48 ], the actual epidemiology of BoDV-1 in the general population still remains inconclusive [ 2 , 4 , 14 , 47 ], particularly in pediatric-age individuals [ 16 , 30 , 49 , 50 ]. In this regard, the study of BoDV-1 epidemiology in children and adolescents may be of particular interest for several reasons.…”