# Natural Hepacivirus Infection in Tree Shrews: A Call for Routine Screening in Hepatitis Virus Research

## TL;DR

Tree shrews naturally infected with hepacivirus require routine screening to ensure reliable hepatitis virus research and biosecurity.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the necessity of systematic viral screening in tree shrews to improve research integrity and translational potential.

## Key findings

- Natural hepacivirus infections in tree shrews are prevalent and may affect experimental outcomes.
- Undetected infections can compromise data integrity and laboratory biosecurity.
- Routine screening and standardized reporting are essential for reliable hepatitis research.

## Abstract

Hepatitis viruses continue to pose major global health challenges, necessitating the development of reliable and well-characterized experimental models. Tree shrews are increasingly recognized as a valuable small animal model because of their natural susceptibility to hepatitis viruses and close phylogenetic relationship with primates. Recent identification of a high prevalence of natural hepacivirus infections in tree shrews underscores the urgent need for routine viral screening of the animals used in hepatitis studies. Undetected infections may confound experimental results, undermine data integrity, and pose risks to laboratory biosecurity. Integrating systematic screening and standardized reporting practices will minimize these risks, enhance reproducibility, and safeguard the integrity of research findings. Moreover, a consistent assessment of the infection status will enhance the translational potential of tree shrews for studying viral hepatitis pathogenesis and evaluating antiviral interventions. This opinion paper emphasizes that ensuring the virological status of tree shrews is not merely a procedural recommendation but also a methodological standard essential for advancing hepatitis virus research.