Mystery of fatal 'staggering disease' unravelled: novel rustrela virus causes severe meningoencephalomyelitis in domestic cats

'Staggering disease' is a neurological disease entity considered a threat to European domestic cats (Felis catus) for almost five decades. However, its aetiology has remained obscure. Rustrela virus (RusV), a relative of rubella virus, has recently been shown to be associated with encephalitis in a broad range of mammalian hosts. Here, we report the detection of RusV RNA and antigen by metagenomic sequencing, RT-qPCR, in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry in brain tissues of 27 out of 29 cats with non-suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis and clinical signs compatible with'staggering disease' from Sweden, Austria, and Germany, but not in non-affected control cats. Screening of possible reservoir hosts in Sweden revealed RusV infection in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus). Our work indicates that RusV is the long-sought cause of feline 'staggering disease'. Given its reported broad host spectrum and considerable geographic range, RusV may be the aetiological agent of neuropathologies in further mammals, possibly even including humans.

Automated summary

'Staggering disease', a neurological illness that has posed a threat to European domestic cats for almost five decades, has finally been linked to the Rustrela virus (RusV). RusV, a relative of rubella virus, was detected in the brains of cats with clinical signs of 'staggering disease' from Sweden, Austria, and Germany, but not in unaffected control cats. Additionally, RusV was found to infect wood mice in Sweden. This discovery suggests that RusV may be responsible for neuropathologies in other mammals, including humans.