# Viral diversity in urban feline swab samples recovered using metagenomics

**Authors:** Taehyung Kwon, Brett Youtsey, Nelson Ruth, Jeanne M. Fair, Cheryl D. Gleasner, Migun Shakya, Azra Marghoob, Andrew W. Bartlow

PMC · DOI: 10.1128/mra.00131-25 · Microbiology Resource Announcements · 2025-07-17

## TL;DR

This study used metagenomics to discover new viral genomes in urban cat samples, which could help understand virus transmission between cats and humans.

## Contribution

The study reports six high-quality draft viral genomes from feline swab samples using metagenomics.

## Key findings

- Six high-quality draft genomes of felid alphaherpesvirus 1 were identified.
- Feline foamy virus genomes were also detected in the samples.
- The findings suggest potential for virus transmission between cats and humans.

## Abstract

The relationship between domestic cats and humans may facilitate transmission of viruses between the two hosts. Metagenomic analyses of 70 urban feline swab samples identified six high-quality draft genomes from felid alphaherpesvirus 1 and feline foamy virus.

## Full-text entities

- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Feline foamy virus (no rank) [taxon 53182], Felis catus (cat, species) [taxon 9685]

## Full text

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## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12352089/full.md

## References

9 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12352089/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12352089