Detection and genetic characterization of domestic cat hepadnavirus in cats with cavitary effusions

After the identification of the novel domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) in 2018, its potential pathogenetic role in feline hepatic diseases has been suggested. Following the detection of DCH in a cat's serum and peritoneal effusion, the aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the presence of DCH in cats with and without cavitary effusions along with DCH presence in effusions. Stored serum and effusion samples from cats with and without effusions admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Lodi (Italy) in 2020-2022 were included based on results of hematobiochemical parameters. Effusions were classified based on cytological and physicochemical findings. The likelihood of liver damage was estimated based on clinical and laboratory findings. Samples were tested for DCH presence by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Positive samples were subjected to whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. DCH was detected in both serum and peritoneal effusion samples of 2/72 (2.8%) enrolled cats, included in the group with effusions (2/33; 6.1%), with one cat showing inflammatory and the other non-inflammatory effusion. Both DCH-positive cats belonged to the group with a likelihood of liver damage (2/22, 9.1%). Phylogeny showed that the DCH sequences from this study clustered with the prototypic Australian strain but were not included in the clade with other Italian DCH sequences. Results suggest the circulation of different DCH variants in Italy and show the presence of DCH in effusion samples from DCH-positive cats, mirroring the presence of HBV in body fluids from HBV-infected humans. Further studies are still recommended to define the pathogenic role of DCH in cats.