1 research outputs found
Clinical and clinicopathological features and outcomes of cats with suspected dietary induced pancytopenia
Background:
After a strong epidemiological link to diet was established in an outbreak of pancytopenia in cats in spring 2021 in the United Kingdom, 3 dry diets were recalled. Concentrations of the hemato- and myelotoxic mycotoxins T-2, HT-2 and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) greater than the European Commission guidance for dry cat foods were detected in the recalled diets.
Objectives:
To describe clinical and clinicopathological findings in cats diagnosed with suspected diet induced pancytopenia.
Animals:
Fifty cats presenting with pancytopenia after exposure to a recalled diet.
Methods:
Multicenter retrospective case series study. Cats with known exposure to 1 of the recalled diets were included if presented with bi- or pancytopenia and underwent bone marrow examination.
Results:
Case fatality rate was 78%. Bone marrow aspirates and biopsy examination results were available in 23 cats; 19 cats had a bone marrow aspirate, and 8 cats had a biopsy core, available for examination. Bone marrow hypo to aplasiaāoften affecting all cell linesāwas the main feature in all 31 available core specimens. A disproportionately pronounced effect on myeloid and megakaryocytic cells was observed in 19 cats. Myelofibrosis or bone marrow necrosis was not a feature.
Conclusion and Clinical Importance:
Mycotoxin induced pancytopenia should be considered as differential diagnosis in otherwise healthy cats presenting with bi- or pancytopenia and bone marrow hypo- to aplasia