Deng J, Ma C, Yu J, Chen B, Li S, Zhou P. Cats are more susceptible to the prevalent H3 subtype influenza viruses than dogs. Virulence. 2025 Dec 17:2605799
Recent reports have highlighted the increasing frequency of influenza A virus (IAV) spillover events from other species to dogs and cats. IAV, particularly the H3 subtype, exhibits a broad host range and a propensity for interspecies transmission, as exemplified by the sustained circulation of H3N2 and H3N8 canine influenza viruses in dog populations. This raises concerns about the potential role of companion animals as intermediate hosts in influenza virus transmission. To evaluate the susceptibility of dogs and cats to the prevalent H3 subtype influenza viruses, we experimentally inoculated groups of both species with three prevalent influenza viruses: H3N2 avian influenza virus (AIV), H3N8 avian influenza virus, and H3N2 swine influenza virus (SIV). Results showed that while all inoculated dogs exhibited seroconversion to all three viruses at 7, 14, and 21 days post-inoculation (dpi), they displayed no clinical signs, viral shedding, or evidence of viral replication in their organ tissues. In contrast, despite the cats did not exhibit apparent clinical signs, all inoculated cats exhibited seroconversion to all viruses at 7, 14 and 21 dpi, sustained nasal viral shedding for approximately one week, and demonstrated viral replication in their lungs, trachea, and nasal turbinate. Our findings underscore the higher susceptibility of cats compared to dogs to H3 subtype influenza viruses. These results emphasize the critical need for enhanced surveillance of cats within the influenza virus transmission network.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- T cell help is a limiting factor for rare anti-influenza memory B cells to reenter germinal centers and generate potent broadly neutralizing antibodies 20 hours ago
- Wild birds drive the introduction, maintenance, and spread of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses in Spain, 2021-2022 20 hours ago
- [preprint]FluNexus: a versatile web platform for antigenic prediction and visualization of influenza A viruses 21 hours ago
- Salpingitis and multiorgan lesions caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in a cat associated with consumption of recalled raw milk in California 21 hours ago
- Detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus 2.3.4.4b in alpacas 21 hours ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


