Survey of Borna disease virus infection in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Austria

In certain regions of central Europe, the bicolored white-toothed shrew ( Crocidura leucodon) is the reservoir host of Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1), an agent with zoonotic potential that causes a non purulent meningoencephalitis in some domestic mammals. Crocidura leucodon is endemic in Austria and forms part of the diet of the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes), so it is likely that red foxes are exposed to BoDV-1. Borna disease has been diagnosed in domestic mammals in the federal states of Vorarlberg, Upper Austria and Styria and BoDV1 infections were found in shrews in Upper Austria. We now report an investigation of the red fox for BoDV infection in Austrian regions where BoDV has occurred in the past. We tested brain samples (n=365) for the presence of bornavirus RNA by two RT-qPCR assays. We also tested serum samples (n=271) for BoDV-1-reactive antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT). Samples with positive reactions were re-analysed with a modified version of the IFAT.