Indication of Cross-Species Transmission of Astrovirus Associated with Encephalitis in Sheep and Cattle

Abstract

We report the identification of a neurotropic astrovirus associated with encephalitis in a sheep. This virus is genetically almost identical to an astrovirus recently described in neurologically diseased cattle. The similarity indicates that astroviruses of the same genotype may cause encephalitis in different species.

Keywords: Astroviridae; astrovirus; cattle; cross-species transmission; enteric infections; meningitis/encephalitis; metagenomics; neurology; ruminants; sheep; viruses; zoonoses.