Prevalence of antibodies against Borna disease virus proteins in Japanese children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Bornavirus infection occurs in many animals, including humans. However, the epidemiology of bornavirus in humans, especially children, is as yet unclear. Here, antibodies against bornaviruses in Japanese children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were evaluated using immunofluorescence analysis, western blotting and radio ligand assay. The prevalence of antibodies against bornavirus-specific speckles, nucleoprotein and phosphoprotein were 22%, 48%, and 33%, respectively, in children with ASD. According to our criteria, the prevalence of antibodies against bornaviruses was 7.4% in children with ASD. This is the first report of the serological prevalence of bornavirus in Japanese children. Our results provide valuable baseline-data for future studies regarding bornavirus epidemiology in children.