Diagnostic spectrum
General information
In a recent publication (Matiasek et al., 2023), Rustrela virus (RusV) is associated with staggering disease in cats, a non-purulent, lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalomyelitis. Symptoms include hind-leg ataxia with generally increased muscle tone as well as other neurological abnormalities: abnormal posture, stiff gait, weakness of the hind legs, tetraparesis, tremor, seizures, etc. In some cases, fever, salivation, hyperaesthesia, behavioural changes, opisthotonos and reduced spinal reflexes are also observed. The disease is progressive and most cats have to be euthanised within 2 months of the onset of clinical signs.
Mice probably play a role as pathogen reservoir. Infected cats do not seem to shed the virus. So far, the virus has only been detected in the CNS (and in peripheral nerve fibres in a few cases).