Discover a new VIRUS in cats

Those responsible for the finding point out that there is no danger for humans.

Researchers at the University of Sydney, led by Julia Beatty, have found a hepadnavirus (a family of viruses that cause human and animal liver infections) previously unknown in an immunocompromised cat, and then in samples of feline blood.

“This is a very exciting discovery,” says Beatty in a statement. The Hepadnavirus of the domestic cat belongs to the same family as the hepatitis B virus. So far, we didn’t know that pets could get this kind of infection. Obviously, we need to understand the impact of it on the health of these animals. ”

Those responsible for the study, published in the journal viruses, point out that viruses similar to this can cause hepatitis and liver cancers in other species, but that this new virus presents no risk to humans or other pets.
“Finding a new virus responsible for a disease is the first step in developing a vaccine to prevent infection,” adds Kelly Diehl, co-author of the study. It is especially exciting that the vaccine can prevent future development of cancer in immunocompromised cats or other vulnerable cats. ”

The team identified for the first time the virus in a cat that had given positive to the feline immunodeficiency virus (VIF) and later died of a lymphoma, a common cancer in cats. Once the computer identified the virus, it analyzed stored blood samples from adult cats. To their surprise, scientists found evidence of infection with Hepadnavirus in the stored samples. The new virus was identified in 10% percent of cats infected with VIF and in 3.2% of cats not infected with VIF.

“In addition to its relevance to feline health – Beaty concludes,” This discovery helps us understand how hepatitis viruses, which can be deadly, are evolving in all species. “