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Feline calicivirus (FCV) causes upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) and sporadic outbreaks of virulent systemic disease (FCV-VSD). The basis for the increased pathogenicity of FCV-VSD viruses is incompletely understood, and antivirals for FCV have yet to be developed. We investigated the clinicoepidemiology and viral features of three FCV-VSD outbreaks in Australia and evaluated the in vitro efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ), 2’-C-methylcytidine (2CMC) and NITD-008 against FCV-VSD viruses. Overall mortality among 23 cases of FCV-VSD was 39%. Metagenomic sequencing identified five genetically distinct FCV lineages within the three outbreaks, all seemingly evolving in situ in Australia. Notably, no mutations that clearly distinguished FCV-URTD from FCV-VSD phenotypes were identified. One FCV-URTD strain likely originated from a recombination event. Analysis of seven amino acid residues from the hypervariable E region of the capsid in the cultured viruses provided no support for the contention that properties of these residues can reliably differentiate between the two pathotypes. On plaque reduction assays, dose-response inhibition of FCV-VSD was obtained with all antivirals at low micromolar concentrations; NTZ EC50, 0.4-0.6 µM, TI 21; 2CMC EC50, 2.7-5.3 µM, TI >18; NITD-008, 0.5 to 0.9 µM, TI >111. Investigation of these antivirals for treatment of FCV-VSD is warranted.
Matteo Bordicchia; Tulio Machado Fumian; Kate Van Brussel; Alice G. Russo; Maura Carrai; Shi-Jia Le; Patricia A. Pesavento; Edward C. Holmes; Vito Martella; Peter White; Julia A. Beatty; Mang Shi; Vanessa R. Barrs. Feline Calicivirus Virulent Systemic Disease: Clinical Epidemiology, Analysis of Viral Isolates and in vitro Efficacy of Novel Antivirals in Australian Outbreaks. 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleMatteo Bordicchia, Tulio Machado Fumian, Kate Van Brussel, Alice G. Russo, Maura Carrai, Shi-Jia Le, Patricia A. Pesavento, Edward C. Holmes, Vito Martella, Peter White, Julia A. Beatty, Mang Shi, Vanessa R. Barrs. Feline Calicivirus Virulent Systemic Disease: Clinical Epidemiology, Analysis of Viral Isolates and in vitro Efficacy of Novel Antivirals in Australian Outbreaks. . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatteo Bordicchia; Tulio Machado Fumian; Kate Van Brussel; Alice G. Russo; Maura Carrai; Shi-Jia Le; Patricia A. Pesavento; Edward C. Holmes; Vito Martella; Peter White; Julia A. Beatty; Mang Shi; Vanessa R. Barrs. 2021. "Feline Calicivirus Virulent Systemic Disease: Clinical Epidemiology, Analysis of Viral Isolates and in vitro Efficacy of Novel Antivirals in Australian Outbreaks." , no. : 1.
Whether subclinical shedding of canine parvovirus (CPV) by cats might contribute to the epidemiology of canine CPV infections, particularly in facilities housing both cats and dogs, requires clarification. Conflicting results are reported to date. Using conventional PCR (cPCR) to amplify the VP2 gene, shedding of the CPV variants (CPV-2a, 2b, 2c) by healthy cats in multi-cat environments was reportedly common in Europe but rare in Australia. The aim of this study was to determine whether low-level faecal CPV shedding occurs in multi-cat environments in Australia and Italy using a TaqMan real-time PCR to detect Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPV and feline parvovirus, FPV) DNA, and minor-groove binder probe real-time PCR assay to differentiate FPV and CPV types and to characterize CPV variants. In total, 741 non-diarrhoeic faecal samples from shelters in Australia (n = 263) and from shelters or cat colonies in Italy (n = 478) were tested. Overall, Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 DNA was detected in 49 of 741 (6.61 %) samples. Differentiation was possible for 31 positive samples. FPV was most common among positive samples (28/31, 90.3 %). CPV was detected in 4/31 samples (12.9 %) including CPV-2a in one sample, CPV-2b in another and co-infections of FPV/CPV-2b and CPV-2a/CPV-2b in the remaining two samples. A high rate of subclinical FPV infection was detected in one shelter during an outbreak of feline panleukopenia, during which 21 of 22 asymptomatic cats (95.5 %) sampled were shedding FPV. Faecal shedding of CPV by cats in multi-cat environments is uncommon suggesting that domestic cats are not significant reservoirs of CPV.
Maura Carrai; Nicola Decaro; Kate Van Brusell; Paola Dall’Ara; Costantina Desario; Marco Fracasso; Jan Šlapeta; Elena Colombo; Stefano Bo; Julia A. Beatty; Joanne Meers; Vanessa R. Barrs. Canine parvovirus is shed infrequently by cats without diarrhoea in multi-cat environments. Veterinary Microbiology 2021, 261, 109204 .
AMA StyleMaura Carrai, Nicola Decaro, Kate Van Brusell, Paola Dall’Ara, Costantina Desario, Marco Fracasso, Jan Šlapeta, Elena Colombo, Stefano Bo, Julia A. Beatty, Joanne Meers, Vanessa R. Barrs. Canine parvovirus is shed infrequently by cats without diarrhoea in multi-cat environments. Veterinary Microbiology. 2021; 261 ():109204.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaura Carrai; Nicola Decaro; Kate Van Brusell; Paola Dall’Ara; Costantina Desario; Marco Fracasso; Jan Šlapeta; Elena Colombo; Stefano Bo; Julia A. Beatty; Joanne Meers; Vanessa R. Barrs. 2021. "Canine parvovirus is shed infrequently by cats without diarrhoea in multi-cat environments." Veterinary Microbiology 261, no. : 109204.
Despite the clinical importance of urinary diseases in cats, the presence of resident urine microbes has not been demonstrated in cats, and the role of these microbes as a community in urinary health remains unknown. Here, we have shown that cats with and without urinary tract disease harbor unique microbial communities in their urine.
Younjung Kim; Maura Carrai; Marcus Leung; Jaime Chin; Jun Li; Patrick Lee; Julia A. Beatty; Dirk U. Pfeiffer; Vanessa R. Barrs. Dysbiosis of the Urinary Bladder Microbiome in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease. mSystems 2021, e0051021 .
AMA StyleYounjung Kim, Maura Carrai, Marcus Leung, Jaime Chin, Jun Li, Patrick Lee, Julia A. Beatty, Dirk U. Pfeiffer, Vanessa R. Barrs. Dysbiosis of the Urinary Bladder Microbiome in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease. mSystems. 2021; ():e0051021.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYounjung Kim; Maura Carrai; Marcus Leung; Jaime Chin; Jun Li; Patrick Lee; Julia A. Beatty; Dirk U. Pfeiffer; Vanessa R. Barrs. 2021. "Dysbiosis of the Urinary Bladder Microbiome in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease." mSystems , no. : e0051021.
Viral diseases play a very important role in feline medicine, and research on feline viruses and viral diseases is a well-established field that helps to safeguard the health of domestic cats and non-domestic felids, many of which are endangered
Julia Beatty; Katrin Hartmann. Advances in Feline Viruses and Viral Diseases. Viruses 2021, 13, 923 .
AMA StyleJulia Beatty, Katrin Hartmann. Advances in Feline Viruses and Viral Diseases. Viruses. 2021; 13 (5):923.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulia Beatty; Katrin Hartmann. 2021. "Advances in Feline Viruses and Viral Diseases." Viruses 13, no. 5: 923.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of liver disease in humans including chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH), a novel HBV-like hepadnavirus, was identified in domestic cats in 2018. From 6.5 %–10.8 % of pet cats are viremic for DCH and altered serological markers suggestive of liver damage have been identified in 50 % of DCH-infected cats. DCH DNA has been detected in association with characteristic lesions of chronic hepatitis and with hepatocellular carcinoma in cats, suggesting a possible association. In this study longitudinal molecular screening of cats infected with DCH was performed to determine if DCH can cause chronic infections in cats. Upon re-testing of sera from five DCH-positive animals, 2–10 months after the initial diagnosis, three cats tested negative for DCH on two consecutive occasions using quantitative PCR. Two other cats remained DCH-positive, including an 8-month-old female cat re-tested four months after the initial positive result, and a 9-year-old male cat, which tested positive for DCH on six occasions over an 11-month period. The latter had a history of chronic hepatopathy with jaundice, lethargy and elevated serum alanine transaminase levels (ALT). During the period of observation, DCH titers ranged between 1.64 × 105 and 2.09 × 106 DNA copies/mL and ALT was persistently elevated, suggesting chronic infection. DCH DNA was not detected in oral, conjunctival, preputial and rectal swabs from the two animals collected at several time points. Long-term (chronic) infection would be consistent with the relatively high number of viremic cats identified in epidemiological investigations, with the possible association of DCH with chronic hepatic pathologies and with what described with HBV in human patients.
Paolo Capozza; Gianvito Lanave; Georgia Diakoudi; Fabio Stasi; Paola Ghergo; Dominga Ricci; Giacinto Santo; Gianluca Arena; Isidoro Grillo; Elisabetta Delle Donne; Francesca Di Lisio; Eric Zini; Carolina Callegari; Luciana Valente; Michele Camero; Barbara Di Martino; Julia Beatty; Vanessa R. Barrs; Canio Buonavoglia; Vito Martella. A longitudinal observational study in two cats naturally-infected with hepadnavirus. Veterinary Microbiology 2021, 254, 108999 .
AMA StylePaolo Capozza, Gianvito Lanave, Georgia Diakoudi, Fabio Stasi, Paola Ghergo, Dominga Ricci, Giacinto Santo, Gianluca Arena, Isidoro Grillo, Elisabetta Delle Donne, Francesca Di Lisio, Eric Zini, Carolina Callegari, Luciana Valente, Michele Camero, Barbara Di Martino, Julia Beatty, Vanessa R. Barrs, Canio Buonavoglia, Vito Martella. A longitudinal observational study in two cats naturally-infected with hepadnavirus. Veterinary Microbiology. 2021; 254 ():108999.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaolo Capozza; Gianvito Lanave; Georgia Diakoudi; Fabio Stasi; Paola Ghergo; Dominga Ricci; Giacinto Santo; Gianluca Arena; Isidoro Grillo; Elisabetta Delle Donne; Francesca Di Lisio; Eric Zini; Carolina Callegari; Luciana Valente; Michele Camero; Barbara Di Martino; Julia Beatty; Vanessa R. Barrs; Canio Buonavoglia; Vito Martella. 2021. "A longitudinal observational study in two cats naturally-infected with hepadnavirus." Veterinary Microbiology 254, no. : 108999.
The global problem of unowned domestic cats, driven by their phenomenal reproductive success, carries significant economic, animal welfare and biodiversity costs. Desexing owned cats prior to puberty prevents unwanted litters that contribute to unowned cat populations. The prevalence and predictors of desexing, and the age at which surgery was carried out were investigated using anonymized electronic patient records in the VetCompass Australia database of cats presented to veterinary practices. Of 52,941 cats born between 2010 and 2017, 83.6% were desexed. Among 7463 desexed females, 21.5% had been desexed by 4 months of age, 59.8% by 6 months and 85.4% by 1 year. Sex, breed, location and socioeconomic indices significantly influenced desexing status and age at surgery. Cats born between 2010 and 2017 had greater odds of being desexed than cats born between 1995and 2009 at each age cut-off (≤ 4 months [OR 1.76, CI95 1.58–1.97], ≤ 6 months [OR 1.50, CI95 1.38–1.62] and ≤ 1 year [OR 2.33, CI95 2.11–2.57] p < 0.001). Most cats presented to veterinarians in Australia are desexed. Compared with cats born before 2010, cats born later are significantly younger at desexing but, even so, many cats would have reached sexual maturity before surgery. These findings will inform the design of front-line strategies promoting prepubertal desexing and they demonstrate, for the first time, a shift towards desexing younger cats.
Loic Mazeau; Claire Wylie; Lara Boland; Julia A. Beatty. A shift towards early-age desexing of cats under veterinary care in Australia. Scientific Reports 2021, 11, 1 -9.
AMA StyleLoic Mazeau, Claire Wylie, Lara Boland, Julia A. Beatty. A shift towards early-age desexing of cats under veterinary care in Australia. Scientific Reports. 2021; 11 (1):1-9.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLoic Mazeau; Claire Wylie; Lara Boland; Julia A. Beatty. 2021. "A shift towards early-age desexing of cats under veterinary care in Australia." Scientific Reports 11, no. 1: 1-9.
Human transformation of natural habitats facilitates pathogen transmission between domestic and wild species. The guigna (Leopardus guigna), a small felid found in Chile, has experienced habitat loss and an increased probability of contact with domestic cats. Here we describe the interspecific transmission of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) between domestic cats and guignas and assess its correlation with human landscape perturbation. Blood and tissue samples from 102 free‐ranging guignas and 262 domestic cats were collected and analyzed by PCR and sequencing. Guigna and domestic cat FeLV and FIV prevalence were very similar. Phylogenetic analysis showed guigna FeLV and FIV sequences are positioned within worldwide domestic cat virus clades with high nucleotide similarity. Guigna FeLV infection was significantly associated with fragmented landscapes with resident domestic cats. There was little evidence of clinical signs of disease in guignas. Our results contribute to the understanding of the implications of landscape perturbation and emerging diseases.
Irene Sacristán; Francisca Acuña; Emilio Aguilar; Sebastián García; María José López; Javier Cabello; Ezequiel Hidalgo‐Hermoso; Jim Sanderson; Karen A. Terio; Vanessa Barrs; Julia Beatty; Warren E. Johnson; Javier Millán; Elie Poulin; Constanza Napolitano. Cross‐species transmission of retroviruses among domestic and wild felids in human‐occupied landscapes in Chile. Evolutionary Applications 2020, 14, 1070 -1082.
AMA StyleIrene Sacristán, Francisca Acuña, Emilio Aguilar, Sebastián García, María José López, Javier Cabello, Ezequiel Hidalgo‐Hermoso, Jim Sanderson, Karen A. Terio, Vanessa Barrs, Julia Beatty, Warren E. Johnson, Javier Millán, Elie Poulin, Constanza Napolitano. Cross‐species transmission of retroviruses among domestic and wild felids in human‐occupied landscapes in Chile. Evolutionary Applications. 2020; 14 (4):1070-1082.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIrene Sacristán; Francisca Acuña; Emilio Aguilar; Sebastián García; María José López; Javier Cabello; Ezequiel Hidalgo‐Hermoso; Jim Sanderson; Karen A. Terio; Vanessa Barrs; Julia Beatty; Warren E. Johnson; Javier Millán; Elie Poulin; Constanza Napolitano. 2020. "Cross‐species transmission of retroviruses among domestic and wild felids in human‐occupied landscapes in Chile." Evolutionary Applications 14, no. 4: 1070-1082.
Astroviruses, isolated from numerous avian and mammalian species including humans, are commonly associated with enteritis and encephalitis. Two astroviruses have previously been identified in cats, and while definitive evidence is lacking, an association with enteritis is suggested. Using metagenomic next-generation sequencing of viral nucleic acids from faecal samples, we identified two novel feline astroviruses termed Feline astrovirus 3 and 4. These viruses were isolated from healthy shelter-housed kittens (Feline astrovirus 3; 6448 bp) and from a kitten with diarrhoea that was co-infected with Feline parvovirus (Feline astrovirus 4, 6549 bp). Both novel astroviruses shared a genome arrangement of three open reading frames (ORFs) comparable to that of other astroviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated ORFs, ORF1a, ORF1b and capsid protein revealed that both viruses were phylogenetically distinct from other feline astroviruses, although their precise evolutionary history could not be accurately determined due to a lack of resolution at key nodes. Large-scale molecular surveillance studies of healthy and diseased cats are needed to determine the pathogenicity of feline astroviruses as single virus infections or in co-infections with other enteric viruses.
Kate Van Brussel; Xiuwan Wang; Mang Shi; Maura Carrai; Jun Li; Vito Martella; Julia Beatty; Edward Holmes; Vanessa Barrs. Identification of Novel Astroviruses in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Domestic Cats. Viruses 2020, 12, 1301 .
AMA StyleKate Van Brussel, Xiuwan Wang, Mang Shi, Maura Carrai, Jun Li, Vito Martella, Julia Beatty, Edward Holmes, Vanessa Barrs. Identification of Novel Astroviruses in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Domestic Cats. Viruses. 2020; 12 (11):1301.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKate Van Brussel; Xiuwan Wang; Mang Shi; Maura Carrai; Jun Li; Vito Martella; Julia Beatty; Edward Holmes; Vanessa Barrs. 2020. "Identification of Novel Astroviruses in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Domestic Cats." Viruses 12, no. 11: 1301.
Diabetes mellitus, a common endocrinopathy affecting domestic cats, shares many clinical and pathologic features with type 2 diabetes in humans. In Australia and Europe, diabetes mellitus is almost four times more common among Burmese cats than in other breeds. As a genetically isolated population, the diabetic Australian Burmese cat provides a spontaneous genetic model for studying diabetes mellitus in humans. Studying complex diseases in pedigreed breeds facilitates tighter control of confounding factors including population stratification, allelic frequencies and environmental heterogeneity. We used the feline SNV array and whole genome sequence data to undertake a genome wide-association study and runs of homozygosity analysis, of a case–control cohort of Australian and European Burmese cats. Our results identified diabetes-associated haplotypes across chromosomes A3, B1 and E1 and selective sweeps across the Burmese breed on chromosomes B1, B3, D1 and D4. The locus on chromosome B1, common to both analyses, revealed coding and splice region variants in candidate genes, ANK1, EPHX2 and LOXL2, implicated in diabetes mellitus and lipid dysregulation. Mapping this condition in Burmese cats has revealed a polygenic spectrum, implicating loci linked to pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, lipid dysregulation and insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus in the Burmese cat.
Georgina Samaha; Claire M. Wade; Julia Beatty; Leslie A. Lyons; Linda M. Fleeman; Bianca Haase. Mapping the genetic basis of diabetes mellitus in the Australian Burmese cat (Felis catus). Scientific Reports 2020, 10, 1 -12.
AMA StyleGeorgina Samaha, Claire M. Wade, Julia Beatty, Leslie A. Lyons, Linda M. Fleeman, Bianca Haase. Mapping the genetic basis of diabetes mellitus in the Australian Burmese cat (Felis catus). Scientific Reports. 2020; 10 (1):1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorgina Samaha; Claire M. Wade; Julia Beatty; Leslie A. Lyons; Linda M. Fleeman; Bianca Haase. 2020. "Mapping the genetic basis of diabetes mellitus in the Australian Burmese cat (Felis catus)." Scientific Reports 10, no. 1: 1-12.
Multiple, epizootic outbreaks of feline panleukopenia (FPL) caused by feline parvovirus (FPV) occurred in eastern Australia between 2014 and 2018. Most affected cats were unvaccinated. We hypothesised that low population immunity was a major driver of re-emergent FPL. The aim of this study was to (i) determine the prevalence and predictors of seroprotective titres to FPV among shelter-housed and owned cats, and (ii) compare the prevalence of seroprotection between a region affected and unaffected by FPL outbreaks. FPV antibodies were detected by haemagglutination inhibition assay on sera from 523 cats and titres ≥1:40 were considered protective. Socioeconomic indices based on postcode and census data were included in the risk factor analysis. The prevalence of protective FPV antibody titres was high overall (94.3%), even though only 42% of cats were known to be vaccinated, and was not significantly different between outbreak and non-outbreak regions. On multivariable logistic regression analysis vaccinated cats were 29.94 times more likely to have protective FPV titres than cats not known to be vaccinated. Cats from postcodes of relatively less socioeconomic disadvantage were 5.93 times more likely to have protective FPV titres. The predictors identified for FPV seroprotective titres indicate targeted vaccination strategies in regions of socioeconomic disadvantage would be beneficial to increase population immunity. The critical level of vaccine coverage required to halt FPV transmission and prevent FPL outbreaks should be determined.
Elizabeth Jenkins; Conor Davis; Maura Carrai; Michael P. Ward; Susan O’Keeffe; Martine Van Van Boeijen; Louise Beveridge; Costantina Desario; Canio Buonavoglia; Julia A. Beatty; Nicola DeCaro; Vanessa R. Barrs. Feline Parvovirus Seroprevalence Is High in Domestic Cats from Disease Outbreak and Non-Outbreak Regions in Australia. Viruses 2020, 12, 320 .
AMA StyleElizabeth Jenkins, Conor Davis, Maura Carrai, Michael P. Ward, Susan O’Keeffe, Martine Van Van Boeijen, Louise Beveridge, Costantina Desario, Canio Buonavoglia, Julia A. Beatty, Nicola DeCaro, Vanessa R. Barrs. Feline Parvovirus Seroprevalence Is High in Domestic Cats from Disease Outbreak and Non-Outbreak Regions in Australia. Viruses. 2020; 12 (3):320.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElizabeth Jenkins; Conor Davis; Maura Carrai; Michael P. Ward; Susan O’Keeffe; Martine Van Van Boeijen; Louise Beveridge; Costantina Desario; Canio Buonavoglia; Julia A. Beatty; Nicola DeCaro; Vanessa R. Barrs. 2020. "Feline Parvovirus Seroprevalence Is High in Domestic Cats from Disease Outbreak and Non-Outbreak Regions in Australia." Viruses 12, no. 3: 320.
Papillomaviruses infect the skin and mucosal surfaces of diverse animal hosts with consequences ranging from asymptomatic colonization to highly malignant epithelial cancers. Increasing evidence suggests a role for papillomaviruses in the most common cutaneous malignancy of domestic cats, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Using total DNA sequencing we identified a novel feline papillomavirus in a nasal biopsy taken from a cat presenting with both nasal cavity lymphoma and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma affecting the nasal planum. We designate this novel virus as Felis catus papillomavirus 6 (FcaPV6). The complete FcaPV6 7453 bp genome was similar to those of other feline papillomaviruses and phylogenetic analysis revealed that it was most closely related to FcaPV3, although was distinct enough to represent a new viral type. Classification of FcaPV6 in a new genus alongside FcaPVs 3, 4 and 5 is supported. Archived excisional biopsy of the SCC, taken 20 months prior to presentation, was intensely positive on p16 immunostaining. FcaPV6, amplified using virus-specific, but not consensus, PCR, was the only papillomavirus detected in DNA extracted from the SCC. Conversely, renal lymphoma, sampled at necropsy two months after presentation, tested negative on FcaPV6-specific PCR. In sum, using metagenomics we demonstrate the presence of a novel feline papillomavirus in association with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Maura Carrai; Kate Van Brussel; Mang Shi; Ci-Xiu Li; Wei-Shan Chang; John S. Munday; Katja Voss; Alicia McLuckie; David Taylor; Andrew Laws; Edward C. Holmes; Vanessa R. Barrs; Julia A. Beatty. Identification of a Novel Papillomavirus Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Domestic Cat. Viruses 2020, 12, 124 .
AMA StyleMaura Carrai, Kate Van Brussel, Mang Shi, Ci-Xiu Li, Wei-Shan Chang, John S. Munday, Katja Voss, Alicia McLuckie, David Taylor, Andrew Laws, Edward C. Holmes, Vanessa R. Barrs, Julia A. Beatty. Identification of a Novel Papillomavirus Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Domestic Cat. Viruses. 2020; 12 (1):124.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaura Carrai; Kate Van Brussel; Mang Shi; Ci-Xiu Li; Wei-Shan Chang; John S. Munday; Katja Voss; Alicia McLuckie; David Taylor; Andrew Laws; Edward C. Holmes; Vanessa R. Barrs; Julia A. Beatty. 2020. "Identification of a Novel Papillomavirus Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Domestic Cat." Viruses 12, no. 1: 124.
Papillomaviruses infect the skin and mucosal surfaces of diverse animal hosts with consequences ranging from asymptomatic colonization to highly malignant epithelial cancers. Increasing evidence suggests a role for papillomaviruses in the most common cutaneous malignancy of domestic cats, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Using total DNA sequencing we identified a novel feline papillomavirus in a nasal biopsy taken from a cat presenting with both nasal cavity lymphoma and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma affecting the nasal planum. We designate this novel virus as Felis catus papillomavirus 6 (FcaPV6). The complete FcaPV6 7453 bp genome was similar to those of other feline papillomaviruses and phylogenetic analysis revealed that it was most closely related to FcaPV3, although was distinct enough to represent a new viral species within the genus Taupapillomavirus. Archived excisional biopsy of the SCC, taken 20 months prior to presentation, was intensely positive on p16 immunostaining. FcaPV6, amplified using virus-specific, but not consensus, PCR was the only papillomavirus detected in DNA extracted from the SCC. Conversely, renal lymphoma, sampled at necropsy two months after presentation, tested negative on FcaPV6-specific PCR. In sum, using metagenomics we demonstrate the presence of a novel feline papillomavirus in association with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Maura Carrai; Kate Van Brussel; Mang Shi; Ci-Xiu Li; John S Munday; Katja Voss; Alicia McLuckie; David Taylor; Andrew Laws; Edward C. Holmes; Vanessa Barrs; Julia Beatty. Identification of a Novel Papillomavirus Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Domestic Cat. 2019, 1 .
AMA StyleMaura Carrai, Kate Van Brussel, Mang Shi, Ci-Xiu Li, John S Munday, Katja Voss, Alicia McLuckie, David Taylor, Andrew Laws, Edward C. Holmes, Vanessa Barrs, Julia Beatty. Identification of a Novel Papillomavirus Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Domestic Cat. . 2019; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaura Carrai; Kate Van Brussel; Mang Shi; Ci-Xiu Li; John S Munday; Katja Voss; Alicia McLuckie; David Taylor; Andrew Laws; Edward C. Holmes; Vanessa Barrs; Julia Beatty. 2019. "Identification of a Novel Papillomavirus Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Domestic Cat." , no. : 1.
Feline panleukopenia (FPL), a frequently fatal disease of cats, is caused by feline parvovirus (FPV) or canine parvovirus (CPV). We investigated simultaneous outbreaks of FPL between 2014 and 2018 in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where FPL outbreaks had not been reported for several decades. Case data from 989 cats and clinical samples from additional 113 cats were obtained to determine the cause of the outbreaks and epidemiological factors involved. Most cats with FPL were shelter-housed, 9 to 10 weeks old at diagnosis, unvaccinated, had not completed a primary vaccination series or had received vaccinations noncompliant with current guidelines. Analysis of parvoviral VP2 sequence data confirmed that all FPL cases were caused by FPV and not CPV. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that each of these outbreaks was caused by a distinct FPV, with two virus lineages present in eastern Australia and virus movement between different geographical locations. Viruses from the UAE outbreak formed a lineage of unknown origin. FPV vaccine virus was detected in the New Zealand cases, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing the co-incidental shedding of vaccine virus in vaccinated cats. Inadequate vaccination coverage in shelter-housed cats was a common factor in all outbreaks, likely precipitating the multiple re-emergence of infection events.
Kate Van Brussel; Maura Carrai; Carrie Lin; Mark Kelman; Laura Setyo; Danielle Aberdein; Juliana Brailey; Michelle Lawler; Simone Maher; Ildiko Plaganyi; Emily Lewis; Adele Hawkswell; Andrew B. Allison; Joanne Meers; Vito Martella; Julia A. Beatty; Edward C. Holmes; Nicola DeCaro; Vanessa R. Barrs. Distinct Lineages of Feline Parvovirus Associated with Epizootic Outbreaks in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. Viruses 2019, 11, 1155 .
AMA StyleKate Van Brussel, Maura Carrai, Carrie Lin, Mark Kelman, Laura Setyo, Danielle Aberdein, Juliana Brailey, Michelle Lawler, Simone Maher, Ildiko Plaganyi, Emily Lewis, Adele Hawkswell, Andrew B. Allison, Joanne Meers, Vito Martella, Julia A. Beatty, Edward C. Holmes, Nicola DeCaro, Vanessa R. Barrs. Distinct Lineages of Feline Parvovirus Associated with Epizootic Outbreaks in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. Viruses. 2019; 11 (12):1155.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKate Van Brussel; Maura Carrai; Carrie Lin; Mark Kelman; Laura Setyo; Danielle Aberdein; Juliana Brailey; Michelle Lawler; Simone Maher; Ildiko Plaganyi; Emily Lewis; Adele Hawkswell; Andrew B. Allison; Joanne Meers; Vito Martella; Julia A. Beatty; Edward C. Holmes; Nicola DeCaro; Vanessa R. Barrs. 2019. "Distinct Lineages of Feline Parvovirus Associated with Epizootic Outbreaks in Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates." Viruses 11, no. 12: 1155.
Measures aimed at reducing the length of stay (LOS) of cats in shelters can promote animal welfare and more efficient use of resources. The extent to which variables shown to impact LOS are broadly applicable is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe a population of cats adopted from an urban shelter, and to analyze the association between potential predictor variables and LOS. A study cohort was identified retrospectively from shelter records (n = 2584), 48.8% of which were < 12 weeks old at admission, and 80.7% were stray. Among 445 cats relinquished by owners, reasons for surrender were primarily owner-related (87.2%). Overall, reason for surrender and coat color were significantly associated with LOS. Hazard ratios showed that all reasons for surrender for owner-relinquished cats were associated with a shorter LOS than stray cats and this association was significant (p < 0.05) for all except cat behavioral or medical reasons. In contrast to previous reports, white cats had a significantly (p < 0.05) longer LOS than black cats. This study highlights an important role for shelter-specific baseline data to inform and measure the effect of interventional studies aimed at improving animal welfare by reducing LOS in shelter-housed cats
Hannah Miller; Michael Ward; Julia A. Beatty. Population Characteristics of Cats Adopted from an Urban Cat Shelter and the Influence of Physical Traits and Reason for Surrender on Length of Stay. Animals 2019, 9, 940 .
AMA StyleHannah Miller, Michael Ward, Julia A. Beatty. Population Characteristics of Cats Adopted from an Urban Cat Shelter and the Influence of Physical Traits and Reason for Surrender on Length of Stay. Animals. 2019; 9 (11):940.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHannah Miller; Michael Ward; Julia A. Beatty. 2019. "Population Characteristics of Cats Adopted from an Urban Cat Shelter and the Influence of Physical Traits and Reason for Surrender on Length of Stay." Animals 9, no. 11: 940.
Fungal species in the genus Aspergillus are environmental saprophytes that can act as opportunistic pathogens of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in humans, cats and other species. Upper respiratory tract aspergillosis (URTA) presents as non-invasive and invasive forms with the latter occurring almost exclusively in immunocompromised hosts. However, in domestic cats, invasive URTA affects apparently immunocompetent patients. A defect in innate immunity has been proposed as a predisposing factor in invasive feline URTA. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pattern recognition receptor genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of aspergillosis in humans. The aims of this study were to identify non-synonymous SNPs in the coding regions of toll-like receptors involved in the immune response to Aspergillus spp. and to compare the frequency of these SNPs between affected and control cats. The coding and flanking regions of TLR1, TLR2 and TLR4 were sequenced in 14 cats with URTA and the sequences were compared with those in 20 control cats without aspergillosis. In total, 23 non-synonymous SNPs were identified in TLR1 (n = 11), TLR2 (n = 3) and TLR4 (n = 10). Differences in allelic frequency of non-synonymous SNPs between affected and controls were not identified either within breeds or overall or between non-invasive and invasive disease phenotypes. Although allelic frequency differed between cat breeds that are overrepresented for URTA and underrepresented breeds there was no association differences identified between affected cats and underrepresented breeds. The difference in allelic frequency of an INDEL point mutation identified in intron 1 of TLR4, between cats with non-invasive versus invasive aspergillosis approached significance (p = 0.054). While results from this study do not support a role for non-synonymous SNPs in the pathogenesis of feline URTA they do provide evidence that investigation for polymorphisms in non-coding regions of these genes and in other pattern recognition receptors are warranted.
J. Whitney; B. Haase; J. Beatty; Vanessa Barrs. Genetic polymorphisms in toll-like receptors 1, 2, and 4 in feline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 2019, 217, 109921 .
AMA StyleJ. Whitney, B. Haase, J. Beatty, Vanessa Barrs. Genetic polymorphisms in toll-like receptors 1, 2, and 4 in feline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 2019; 217 ():109921.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJ. Whitney; B. Haase; J. Beatty; Vanessa Barrs. 2019. "Genetic polymorphisms in toll-like receptors 1, 2, and 4 in feline upper respiratory tract aspergillosis." Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 217, no. : 109921.
In 2015, over 850,000 people died from chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). A novel hepatitis B-like virus has recently been identified in domestic cats. The pathogenic potential of domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH), for which 6.5% to 10.8% of pet cats are viremic, is unknown. We evaluated stored formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsies of diseased and normal feline liver for the presence of DCH using PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH). DCH was detected in 43% (6/14) of chronic hepatitis cases and 28% (8/29) of HCCs, whereas cholangitis (n = 6), biliary carcinoma (n = 18) and normal liver (n = 15) all tested negative for DCH. Furthermore, in DCH-associated cases, the histologic features of inflammation and neoplasia, and the viral distribution on ISH were strikingly similar to those seen with HBV-associated disease. Several histological features common in human HBV-associated hepatitis, including piecemeal necrosis and apoptotic bodies, were identified in DCH-positive cases of chronic hepatitis. In two cases of HCC examined, the proliferation index in regions that were ISH-positive was higher than in ISH-negative regions. The intracellular distribution of virus in both hepatitis and HCC demonstrated that viral nucleic acid is present in both nuclear and cytoplasmic forms. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a compelling association between DCH and some cases of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the cat that mirrors features of HBV-associated hepatopathies. Future investigations of viral epidemiology and natural history are needed to establish the impact of DCH on feline health.
Patricia A. Pesavento; Kenneth Jackson; Bronte Hampson; John S. Munday; Vanessa R. Barrs; Julia A. Beatty. A Novel Hepadnavirus is Associated with Chronic Hepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cats. Viruses 2019, 11, 969 .
AMA StylePatricia A. Pesavento, Kenneth Jackson, Bronte Hampson, John S. Munday, Vanessa R. Barrs, Julia A. Beatty. A Novel Hepadnavirus is Associated with Chronic Hepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cats. Viruses. 2019; 11 (10):969.
Chicago/Turabian StylePatricia A. Pesavento; Kenneth Jackson; Bronte Hampson; John S. Munday; Vanessa R. Barrs; Julia A. Beatty. 2019. "A Novel Hepadnavirus is Associated with Chronic Hepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cats." Viruses 11, no. 10: 969.
Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 (FcaGHV1), a novel gammaherpesvirus of domestic cats identified in 2014, has been detected in different countries demonstrating a worldwide distribution. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of FcaGHV1 in Italy using a molecular epidemiological approach. FcaGHV1 DNA was detected with virus-specific real-time PCR in 1% of 2659 feline blood samples tested. Analysis of risk factors showed that being male and coinfection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) increase the likelihood of FcaGHV1 detection. One-third of FcaGHV1-positive cats also tested positive for FIV provirus, whereas coinfections with feline panleukopenia virus were not demonstrated. Further studies are necessary to confirm the risk factors for FcaGHV1 detection and the pathobiology of the virus.
Francesca Caringella; Costantina Desario; Eleonora Lorusso; Ivana Pallante; Tommaso Furlanello; Gianvito Lanave; Gabriella Elia; Vito Martella; Roberta Iatta; Vanessa Barrs; Julia Beatty; Canio Buonavoglia; Nicola DeCaro. Prevalence and risk factors for Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 detection in domestic cats in Italy. Veterinary Microbiology 2019, 238, 108426 .
AMA StyleFrancesca Caringella, Costantina Desario, Eleonora Lorusso, Ivana Pallante, Tommaso Furlanello, Gianvito Lanave, Gabriella Elia, Vito Martella, Roberta Iatta, Vanessa Barrs, Julia Beatty, Canio Buonavoglia, Nicola DeCaro. Prevalence and risk factors for Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 detection in domestic cats in Italy. Veterinary Microbiology. 2019; 238 ():108426.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesca Caringella; Costantina Desario; Eleonora Lorusso; Ivana Pallante; Tommaso Furlanello; Gianvito Lanave; Gabriella Elia; Vito Martella; Roberta Iatta; Vanessa Barrs; Julia Beatty; Canio Buonavoglia; Nicola DeCaro. 2019. "Prevalence and risk factors for Felis catus gammaherpesvirus 1 detection in domestic cats in Italy." Veterinary Microbiology 238, no. : 108426.
Hepadnaviruses infect several animal species. The prototype species, human hepatitis B virus (HBV), increases the risk of liver diseases and may cause cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently a novel hepadnavirus, similar to HBV, has been identified through transcriptomics studies in a domestic cat with large cell lymphoma in Australia. Herewith, a collection of 390 feline serum samples was screened for hepadnavirus. Overall, the virus was identified in 10.8% of the sera with a significantly higher prevalence (17.8%) in the sera of animals with a clinical suspect of infectious disease. Upon genome sequencing, the virus was closely related (97.0% nt identity) to the prototype Australian feline virus Sydney 2016. The mean and median values of hepadnavirus in the feline sera were 1.3 × 106 and 2.1 × 104 genome copies per mL (range 3.3 × 100–2.5 × 107 genome copies per mL). For a subset of hepadnavirus-positive samples, information on the hemato-chemical parameters was available and in 10/20 animals a profile suggestive of liver damage was present. Also, in 7/10 animals with suspected hepatic disease, virus load was >104 genome copies per mL, i.e. above the threshold considered at risk of active hepatitis and liver damage for HBV.
Gianvito Lanave; Paolo Capozza; Georgia Diakoudi; Cristiana Catella; Leonardo Catucci; Paola Ghergo; Fabio Stasi; Vanessa Barrs; Julia Beatty; Nicola DeCaro; Canio Buonavoglia; Vito Martella; Michele Camero. Identification of hepadnavirus in the sera of cats. Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 1 -6.
AMA StyleGianvito Lanave, Paolo Capozza, Georgia Diakoudi, Cristiana Catella, Leonardo Catucci, Paola Ghergo, Fabio Stasi, Vanessa Barrs, Julia Beatty, Nicola DeCaro, Canio Buonavoglia, Vito Martella, Michele Camero. Identification of hepadnavirus in the sera of cats. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1):1-6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGianvito Lanave; Paolo Capozza; Georgia Diakoudi; Cristiana Catella; Leonardo Catucci; Paola Ghergo; Fabio Stasi; Vanessa Barrs; Julia Beatty; Nicola DeCaro; Canio Buonavoglia; Vito Martella; Michele Camero. 2019. "Identification of hepadnavirus in the sera of cats." Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 1-6.
Foamy viruses (FVs) are globally prevalent retroviruses that establish apparently apathogenic lifelong infections. Feline FV (FFV) has been isolated from domestic cats with concurrent diseases, including urinary syndromes. We experimentally infected five cats with FFV to study viral kinetics and tropism, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) phenotype, urinary parameters, and histopathology. A persistent infection of primarily lymphoid tropism was detected with no evidence of immunological or hematologic perturbations. One cat with a significant negative correlation between lymphocytes and PBMC proviral load displayed an expanded FFV tissue tropism. Significantly increased blood urea nitrogen and ultrastructural kidney changes were noted in all experimentally infected cats, though chemistry parameters were not outside of normal ranges. Histopathological changes were observed in the brain, large intestine, and other tissues. In order to determine if there is an association of FFV with Chronic Kidney Disease, we additionally screened 125 Australian pet cats with and without CKD for FFV infection and found that FFV is highly prevalent in older cats, particularly in males with CKD, though this difference was not statistically significant compared to controls. Acute FFV infection was clinically silent, and while some measures indicated mild changes, there was no overt association of FFV infection with renal disease.
Carmen Ledesma-Feliciano; Ryan M. Troyer; Xin Zheng; Craig Miller; Rachel Cianciolo; Matteo Bordicchia; Nicholas Dannemiller; Roderick Gagne; Julia Beatty; Jessica Quimby; Martin Löchelt; Sue Vandewoude. Feline Foamy Virus Infection: Characterization of Experimental Infection and Prevalence of Natural Infection in Domestic Cats with and without Chronic Kidney Disease. Viruses 2019, 11, 662 .
AMA StyleCarmen Ledesma-Feliciano, Ryan M. Troyer, Xin Zheng, Craig Miller, Rachel Cianciolo, Matteo Bordicchia, Nicholas Dannemiller, Roderick Gagne, Julia Beatty, Jessica Quimby, Martin Löchelt, Sue Vandewoude. Feline Foamy Virus Infection: Characterization of Experimental Infection and Prevalence of Natural Infection in Domestic Cats with and without Chronic Kidney Disease. Viruses. 2019; 11 (7):662.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmen Ledesma-Feliciano; Ryan M. Troyer; Xin Zheng; Craig Miller; Rachel Cianciolo; Matteo Bordicchia; Nicholas Dannemiller; Roderick Gagne; Julia Beatty; Jessica Quimby; Martin Löchelt; Sue Vandewoude. 2019. "Feline Foamy Virus Infection: Characterization of Experimental Infection and Prevalence of Natural Infection in Domestic Cats with and without Chronic Kidney Disease." Viruses 11, no. 7: 662.
The recent extension of genetic tools to the domestic cat, together with the serendipitous consequences of selective breeding, have been essential to the study of the genetic diseases that affect them. Cats are increasingly presented for veterinary surveillance and share many of human's heritable diseases, allowing them to serve as natural models of these conditions. Feline diabetes mellitus is a common condition in domestic cats that bears close pathological and clinical resemblance to type 2 diabetes in humans, including pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction and peripheral insulin resistance. In Australia, New Zealand and Europe, diabetes mellitus is almost four times more common in cats of the Burmese breed than in other breeds. This geographically based breed predisposition parallels familial and population clustering of type 2 diabetes in humans. As a genetically isolated population, the Australian Burmese breed provides a spontaneous, naturally occurring genetic model of type 2 diabetes. Genetically isolated populations typically exhibit extended linkage disequilibrium and increased opportunity for deleterious variants to reach high frequencies over many generations due to genetic drift. Studying complex diseases in such populations allows for tighter control of confounding factors including environmental heterogeneity, allelic frequencies and population stratification. The homogeneous genetic background of Australian Burmese cats may provide a unique opportunity to either refine genetic signals previously associated with type 2 diabetes or identify new risk factors for this disease.
G. Samaha; Julia Beatty; C. M. Wade; B. Haase. The Burmese cat as a genetic model of type 2 diabetes in humans. Animal Genetics 2019, 50, 319 -325.
AMA StyleG. Samaha, Julia Beatty, C. M. Wade, B. Haase. The Burmese cat as a genetic model of type 2 diabetes in humans. Animal Genetics. 2019; 50 (4):319-325.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. Samaha; Julia Beatty; C. M. Wade; B. Haase. 2019. "The Burmese cat as a genetic model of type 2 diabetes in humans." Animal Genetics 50, no. 4: 319-325.