H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4b Infections in Domestic Cats During an Avian Influenza Outbreak in Italy: Implications for One Health Surveillance.
Influenza and other respiratory viruses·
- DOI
- 10.1111/irv.70311
- PMID
- 42679799
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- —
- Study type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Publisher unavailable
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The findings are positioned as relevant to surveillance for cross-species transmission and potential spillover risk, given the documented mammalian-adaptation mutation and expanding host range of clade 2.3.4.4b.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The report describes the detection and characterization of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b infection in domestic cats associated with an avian influenza outbreak on a backyard poultry farm in Italy, framed within a One Health surveillance context.
Study design
This is a case-based outbreak investigation report describing two cats from a single affected premises, combining pathological examination, serology, molecular testing, and genomic characterization.
Population and setting
Two domestic cats (CAT 1 fatal case; CAT 2 exposed and clinically affected) on a backyard poultry farm in Italy with an ongoing HPAI outbreak, sampled in early January 2025.
Main findings
CAT 1 showed acute necrotizing bronchointerstitial pneumonia, non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, and disseminated hepatic necrosis, with detection of a PB2-E627K mammalian-adaptation mutation in the feline isolate relative to avian isolates. CAT 2 tested negative for AIV genome but later seroconverted to NPA, H5, and N1 antibodies.
Public-health relevance
The findings are positioned as relevant to surveillance for cross-species transmission and potential spillover risk, given the documented mammalian-adaptation mutation and expanding host range of clade 2.3.4.4b.
Important limitations
The abstract does not state explicit limitations. This summary is limited to the supplied single-article abstract and metadata and requires the original paper for decision-grade interpretation.
GIDS interpretation
The article is relevant to GIDS classifier dimensions on H5N1, One Health surveillance, outbreak investigation, and transmission dynamics; however, no link to a live surveillance signal is asserted from the abstract alone.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 11 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.