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Global Prevalence of Domestic Cat Hepadnavirus: An Emerging Threat to Cats’ Health?

9 Citations2022
Maya Shofa, Yasuyuki Kaneko, Kazuki Takahashi
Frontiers in Microbiology

Understanding the diversity of circulating DCH will contribute to its prevention and control in domestic cats, and understanding the correlation between DCH infection and hepatic diseases remains to be elucidated.

Abstract

Hepatitis B is an infectious hepatocellular disease of global concern caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), which belongs to Hepadnaviridae. Recently, a novel HBV-like virus, domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH), was detected from an immunocompromised cat with a hepatic disease in Australia. Subsequent molecular investigation by independent research groups revealed that its prevalence rates were 6.5% in Australia, 10.8% in Italy, 12.4% in Thailand, 12.3% in Malaysia, 3.08% in the United Kingdom, and 0.78% in Japan. Although the correlation between DCH infection and hepatic diseases remains to be elucidated, understanding the diversity of circulating DCH will contribute to its prevention and control in domestic cats. Herein, we summarize the current epidemiological data of DCH in these countries.