This cat has just made another scientific discovery

The story could lend to smile. In addition, but it is quite serious: a simple domestic cat today helps to advance virology. For example, Pepper, a short -haired black cat, shares his life with John Lednicky, virologist at the University of Florida. Meanwhile, Passionate about hunting. Nevertheless, this feline used to bring to his master small “gifts”, mainly rodents whom he tracks in the surroundings. Similarly, Where most owners are content to throw these garbage trophies. However, Lednicky, sees it as a precious opportunity for his research on emerging viruses.

An ordinary hunter … Similarly, in the service of science – This cat just made another

It all started in 2023. Moreover, when a simple mouse deposited on the doorstep allows Lednicky and his team to identify a new virus in the United States: the Gainesville rodent jeilongvirus 1. Nevertheless, This virus belongs to a family previously this cat just made another observed only in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Furthermore, Particularly interesting. Meanwhile, this pathogen has the capacity to infect cells of several species, a characteristic that arouses the vigilance of researchers because of its zoonotic potential, that is to say its ability to pass from one animal species to another.

The story could have stopped there, but Pepper had obviously not finished with his scientific contributions. More recently, the feline has brought back a short tail musician from the Everglades to his master, as Newsweek reports. This time again. LEDNICKY decides to analyze the animal and discovers a new viral strain hitherto unknown: the mammalian orthoréovirus of the Musagaigne de Gainesville type 3, UF-1 strain.

Orthoreovirus are not strangers for virologists. This virus group has already been observed in various mammals, including humans, virginia deer or bats. Their impact remains poorly known. but some have been linked this cat just made another to rare cases of encephalitis, meningitis and gastroenteritis, especially in children. If we do not yet have sufficient information to judge the dangerousness of this new strain. its discovery once again highlights the importance of monitoring local fauna, even through the small animals that our Mustache companions report.

Long -deemed viruses deemed harmless … to monitor more closely

Emily Deruyter. the first author of the study, recalls that orthoréovirus were previously considered to be “orphans”, in other words viruses present in humans or other mammals, but without proven link with diseases. In recent years, new research has questioned this idea. Some strains are now suspected of having a role in various pathologies, even if these cases remain rare. This new orthoréovirus discovered thanks to Pepper therefore opens an additional door to the understanding of these discreet but. potentially important viruses.

When a cat becomes a research assistant

As for Pepper. he continues to go about his feline occupations without showing the slightest sign of illness. His propensity to hunt. bring back his discoveries continues, and his master intends to continue to take advantage of these unforeseen occasions. John Lednicky sums up this unconventional but fruitful approach to a simple formula: “If you come across a dead animal. why not analyze it instead of simply burying it?” You can collect a lot of information. »»

Beyond the unusual anecdote. this story recalls that the surveillance of zoonoses, these diseases that can move from animals to humans, is this cat just made another more crucial than ever. If large mammals. wild animals are often scrutinized closely, small rodents and insectivores still too often pass under the radar. Thanks to the hunter instinct of a simple domestic cat. science has once again got its hands on viruses whose existence remained unsuspected.

Finally. the twist of this story is that by proudly bringing his prey back, Pepper does not only pay homage to his master: he contributes, in his own way, on the global health.