Zoonoses are diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans, and vice versa. They are subject to special virological surveillance and for good reason: they can cause a lot of damage, like the “Feline Morbillivirus” – responsible for chronic kidney failure.
A virus from the same family as measles
The virus (FeMV), first discovered in stray cats in Hong Kong ten years ago, has now been spotted in domestic cats in Europe. However, it is suspected of causing chronic kidney failure in our feline friends… but also of infecting humans.
Reasons which pushed virologists from the Vaccine Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh to carry out research on this subject.
“Feline morbillivirus has remained under the radar for many years. But we are now able to shed light on its link to chronic kidney disease in cats and better understand how we can stop transmission and potential spillover into human populations.s,” revealed one of the lead authors, Professor Paul Duprex, director of the Center for Vaccine Research at the University of Pittsburgh, in a statement.
The scientists discovered that FeMV entered cells by binding to a surface protein receptor – called CD150 – in the same way as measles. People vaccinated against measles would therefore be protected against infection. On the other hand, others must be extra careful.
Another interesting observation: the virus also appears to be spread via human urine, in the same way as the zoonotic Nipah virus, originating from Asia. However, researchers have not been able to decipher the symptoms of this disease in humans.
They nevertheless discovered a potential treatment for the disease, by inhibiting a class of enzymes, called cathepsins. A remedy that could allow “to avoid an epidemic“, conclude the researchers.