Neurotropic Astroviruses in Animals

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Virology
• Animal Health

Background:

• Astrovirus infections are a primary cause of diarrhea in children.
• The significance of astroviruses in animal health, particularly neurological disease, is increasingly recognized.
• Newly identified neurotropic astroviruses are linked to nonsuppurative encephalitis in various species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on neurotropic astrovirus infections in animals.
• To highlight the underappreciated impact of astroviruses on animal health.
• To propose future research directions for neurotropic astrovirus infections.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on neurotropic astrovirus infections.
• Analysis of phylogenetic data of neurotropic astroviruses.
• Summary of clinical and histological findings in affected animals.

Main Results:

• Neurotropic astroviruses cause endemic neurological diseases in pigs and minks, and sporadic cases in ruminants and humans.
• Affected animals exhibit neurological signs like ataxia and tetraplegia, often leading to fatal outcomes.
• Typical lesions include non-suppurative inflammation, perivascular cuffing, gliosis, and neuronal necrosis.

Conclusions:

• Neurotropic astroviruses represent a significant threat to animal health, causing severe neurological conditions.
• Genetic relatedness of these viruses suggests determinants for tissue tropism and neuroinvasion.
• Further research is crucial to understand and combat neurotropic astrovirus infections in animals.