Adaptation of H3N2 canine influenza virus to feline cell culture.

H3N2 canine influenza viruses can be found in Asian and North American countries. During circulation of the viruses in dogs, researchers found that the viruses are occasionally transmitted to cats. Scientists are concerned that the canine virus could cause an epidemic in cats too, and place humans at risk if the virus becomes mutated and cross species to humans.

In this study, the researcher wanted to gain an insight into the mutations responsible for inter-species transmission of H3N2 virus from dogs to cats.

The study showed that feline CRFK cell-adapted viruses acquired several mutations in multiple genome segments. These findings suggest that the mutations, especially the two HA mutations, identified in this study, might be responsible for adaptation of H3N2 canine influenza viruses in cats.

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Adaptation of H3N2 canine influenza virus to feline cell culture.