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Neurologic Clinical Signs in Cattle With Astrovirus-Associated Encephalitis.

ABSTRACT: Evidence of neurotropic astroviruses has been established using novel genetic methods in cattle suffering from viral encephalitis of previously unknown origin.To describe the clinical signs observed in cattle with astrovirus-associated encephalitis.Eight cattle (4 cows, 3 heifers, and 1 bull of 4 different breeds) admitted to the Clinic for Ruminants for neurologic disease and 1 cow investigated in the field.Cases were selected based on neuropathologic diagnosis of nonsuppurative encephalitis, positive in situ hybridization result for astrovirus, and availability of the results of physical and neurologic evaluations. Laboratory results were evaluated if available.The most frequently observed clinical signs were decreased awareness of surroundings (7), cranial nerve dysfunction (5), and recumbency (5). The cow seen in the field was the only animal that had severe behavioral changes. Cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were increased in 4 animals, and protein concentration was increased in 3 of 5 specimens. In 1 case, the presence of astrovirus could be identified in a CSF sample by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Other laboratory abnormalities were nonspecific.Astrovirus infection may be an important differential diagnosis in cattle with clinical signs of brain disease and should be considered after exclusion of other causes. The clinical and epidemiological relevance of encephalitis associated with astrovirus infection should be further investigated.

SUBMITTER: Deiss R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5508366 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Neurologic Clinical Signs in Cattle With Astrovirus-Associated Encephalitis.

Deiss R R Selimovic-Hamza S S Seuberlich T T Meylan M M

Journal of veterinary internal medicine 20170522 4

<h4>Background</h4>Evidence of neurotropic astroviruses has been established using novel genetic methods in cattle suffering from viral encephalitis of previously unknown origin.<h4>Objectives</h4>To describe the clinical signs observed in cattle with astrovirus-associated encephalitis.<h4>Animals</h4>Eight cattle (4 cows, 3 heifers, and 1 bull of 4 different breeds) admitted to the Clinic for Ruminants for neurologic disease and 1 cow investigated in the field.<h4>Methods</h4>Cases were selecte ...[more]

PMID: 28544318

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Project description:BackgroundUntil today, classic human astroviruses have not been associated with central nervous system infections in immunocompetent patients.Case presentationA 16-month-old Caucasian girl presented with repetitive generalized seizures with a 4-day history of watery diarrhea, which had already gradually improved. Initially, the prolonged seizures ceased after systemic midazolam treatment and were thought to be fever associated. However, her mental status remained altered, and after seizure recurrence, she was transferred to our pediatric intensive care unit. Seizure control was achieved by a combination of high-dose levetiracetam and phenobarbital, but she remained unconscious. An electroencephalogram at this time revealed generalized high voltage theta activity. All laboratory analyses, including extended blood and cerebrospinal fluid analyses, and a brain magnetic resonance imaging were normal. On day 4, the child gradually became conscious, but was very agitated and not able to walk. Since an electroencephalogram at this time still revealed generalized high voltage theta activity, although she had not received sedative medications for 72 hours, she was diagnosed as having encephalopathy. At that time, results of diagnostic testing of the stool sample were positive for classic astrovirus infection, and we decided to analyze the initially obtained cerebrospinal fluid for astrovirus as well. Cerebrospinal fluid was also found positive for human astrovirus. Sequencing analysis revealed a classic astrovirus genotype 1 with exactly the same nucleotide sequence as in the feces. Clinically, the child gradually improved and was discharged on day 9.ConclusionsWhereas the new human astrovirus subtypes have been recently associated with central nervous system infection, this is the first case of encephalitis in an immunocompetent child due to classic human astrovirus. Considering that classic human astroviruses are the third most common etiological agents of viral gastroenteritis in children, we believe that human astroviruses as causative agents for central nervous system infections should be considered more often, especially in children and infants with preceding gastroenteritis.

Dataset Information

Neurologic Clinical Signs in Cattle With Astrovirus-Associated Encephalitis.

Publications

Neurologic Clinical Signs in Cattle With Astrovirus-Associated Encephalitis.

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