The detection and full genomic characterization of domestic catOrthohepadnavirusesfrom Türkiye

Abstract

BackgroundDomestic cat hepadnaviruses (DCHs) have been described as a novel virus that can infect cats.ObjectiveThe aim of our study is the first identification and molecular characterizations of DCH infection in Turkish domestic cats.MethodsThe blood, organ and ascites fluid samples from 550 cats were randomly sampled. The presence of DCH nucleic acid was investigated by using both in the literature and newly designed primers.ResultsIt was found that the hepadnavirus positivity rate is 4% (22/550) in Türkiye. The full genomic characterization was performed on 13 of 22 samples, and others were characterized as nearly full genome. In this study, we highlight that whole blood samples should be also screened for DCH, not only serum samples as has frequently been done in other studies. DCH‐infected cats were also found positive (54.54%, 12/22) for Feline leukaemia virus infection. BLAST results revealed that Turkish DCHs have 86.32%–99.08% homology with strains in the GenBank database, enabling us to construct phylogenetic trees.ConclusionsAccording to this study's results, it is suggested that this infection should be added to veterinary diagnostic panels worldwide. Additionally, we suggest that our new synthesized primers for the amplification of X gene can also be used for diagnosis.

Genetic diversity of domestic cat hepadnavirus in Taiwan

“…Potentially complicating this even further, all samples had virus titers >10 4 genomic copies/mL threshold, but two (2/5, 40%) had normal hepatic markers. Taken together, the current study echoes the recommendation that DCH be included in veterinary diagnostic panels, particularly in cases clinically suspected of hepatic diseases and in screening for blood donors [4,11].…”

Epidemiology of Pathogenic Retroviruses and Domestic Cat Hepadnavirus in Community and Client-Owned Cats in Hong Kong

“…Domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) is a novel, hepatitis-B-like virus first reported in Australia in 2018 [ 5 ], and subsequently detected in cats in Europe, Asia, and the USA [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Based on the pathobiology of hepatitis-B viruses that infect humans and rodents, a pathogenic role for DCH in some feline liver diseases is possible [ 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Further studies of spontaneous disease will help to clarify whether DCH plays an aetiological role in specific pathologies. The reported molecular prevalence of DCH varies from <1% to >18% [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. In Hong Kong, DCH DNA has been detected in 57/513 (11.1%) of client-owned cats [ 13 ], but data for community cats in the region are not yet available.…”

Molecular questioning of potential efficacy of epsilon targeted antiviral treatment option for Domestic Cat Hepadnavirus

“…Domestic Cat Hepadnavirus (DCH) is a novel feline virus that is believed to cause chronic hepatic failure in cats, according to authorities [1][2][3][4]. It is known that the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is the homolog of DCH in humans, induces chronic hepatic failure and cirrhosis in particular immune-suppressed individuals [4][5][6]. It is presumed that DCH causes hepatic failure in immune-suppressed cats, although this has not yet been revealed.…”

“…This presumption has naturally led to the investigation of the pathogenicity of DCH. DCH has gained priority over other infectious agents in cats due to its frequent detection, despite the presence of prominent feline viruses such as feline immunode ciency virus, feline leukemia virus, feline panleukopenia virus, and feline coronavirus [2][3][4]7]. This has led to a surge in research on DCH since 2018, with many papers focusing on its detection and molecular characterization [2][3][4][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17].…”