Influenza in cats
In cats, it is well known that the virus infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAIV) produces pneumonia and necrosis in various organs (liver, adrenal, myocardium, enteric plexus, etc). The fact that cats are naturally susceptible to infection with HPAIV H5N1 and H1N1 (pandemic 2009) presents a risk of zoonosis. By contrast, susceptibility to infection by viruses of low pathogenicity (LPAIV) (H1N9, H6N4) and especially those derived from wild birds is poorly understood. In this paper, the authors demonstrate experimentally that domestic cats can also be infected by LPAIV, seroconvert and develop a mild interstitial pneumonia without showing clinical signs.
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