Longitudinal observation of chronic domestic cat hepadnavirus infection in cats with evidence of extrahepatic involvement.

ABSTRACT: ObjectivesDomestic cat hepadnavirus (DCHBV), belonging to the Orthohepadnavirus genus and closely related to the human hepatitis B virus (HBV), is detected in domestic cats; however, its disease progression and pathological impact remain unclear. This study investigates the longitudinal dynamics of DCHBV infection in naturally infected cats over a period of up to 310 days after detection, focusing on blood parameters and viral load fluctuations, liver pathology and extrahepatic dissemination.MethodsAmong 87 screened cats, four (4.6%) tested positive for DCHBV using quantitative PCR (qPCR). These cats were monitored longitudinally through repeated health checks, including viral load monitoring. After natural death, necropsy, histopathology, in situ hybridisation (ISH) and immunohisto

SUBMITTER: Wardhani SW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12433546 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature