Evaluation of clinicopathological features in cats with chronic gastrointestinal signs

Food-responsive enteropathy (FRE), idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and alimentary tract lymphoma (AL) are often the remaining differentials for cats presenting with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) signs. Differential diagnosis is further complicated by overlapping clinicopathological features and histopathological changes, however. In this study we describe the clinical presentation of cats with chronic GI signs secondary to FRE, IBD, and AL, and evaluate possible associations between clinical, clinicopathological, ultrasonographic findings and diagnosis. The medical records of client-owned cats with chronic GI signs secondary to FRE, IBD, and AL were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models and receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were used for testing the data. Of the 56 cats included in the study, 22 were diagnosed with FRE (mean age, 70 months ± 49), 17 with IBD (mean age, 101 months ± 40), and 17 with AL (mean age, 122 months ± 45). Cats with FRE were younger and presented more often with diarrhea and less frequently with muscle wasting than cats with IBD or AL. In cats with AL, serum cobalamin levels were lower than in those with FRE or IBD (239 ± 190 ng/L vs. 762 ± 408 ng/L and 625 ± 443 ng/L, respectively) and folate levels were higher than in cats with IBD (18.2 ± 4.2 μg/L vs. 9.1 ± 4.7 μg/L, respectively). Multivariate/ROC curve analysis showed increased values of BUN (sensitivity 100, specificity 29.4, criterion >37 mg/dl) and serum folate (sensitivity 80, specificity 100, criterion >15.6 μg/L) and reduced values of cobalamin (sensitivity 100, specificity 62.5, criterion â¤540 ng/L), which suggested a diagnosis of AL versus IBD. Some clinicopathological features evaluated at diagnosis might suggest AL; however, because differentiating AL from IBD is often difficult, definitive diagnosis should be based on invasive diagnostic workup

Molecular detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in cats from Abruzzo region (central Italy)

INTRODUCTION. Tritrichomonas foetus (Trichomonadida, Tritrichomonadidae), a protozoan parasite causing chronic diarrhea in domestic cats and transmitted through the fecal-oral route (Gookin et al., 2004J Clin Microbiol. 42: 2707-10), has been reported worldwide. The clinical manifestations caused by T. foetus are variable, ranging from subclinical to severe. The infection is more frequent in catteries and shelters, and in purebred and young cats.Only few studies have investigated the occurrence of T. foetus in catsfrom limited regions of Italy (Mancianti et al., 2015J Feline Med Surg. 17: 163-67; Veronesi et al., 2016 Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 6: 14-19). This study has investigated its prevalence in cats froma region of Central Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In 2019, individual faecal samples were collected from105 cats (37 privately owned, 68 colony-cats) referred at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Teramo, Abruzzo region. The faecal samples were tested using aspecific PCR protocol (Gookin et al., 2002 J Clin Microbiol. 40: 4126-30). All samples were also subjected to concentration-floatation, sucrose gradient centrifugation and Baermann techniques for the detection of other endoparasites. A statistical analysis evaluating the prevalence of infection and possible risk factors (i.e. age, sex, breed, housing, presence of other parasites and chronic gastrointestinal signs) associated with T. foetus infection was performed using Fisher’s exact test and the odds ratio (OR). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Tritrichomonas foetus was detected in 18/105 (17.14%) cats. This infection rate is higher if compared to previous studies carried out in Italy (0.75 - 32.4%). In only two cats, T. foetus was found in association respectively with Giardia and A. abstrusus. The infection was detected more frequently in cats with chronic gastrointestinal signs (38.9% vs 14.9%; p = 0.01; 95% CI = 1.40-13.99; OR = 4.27) and no other statistically significant associations emerged. This study confirms the endemicity of T. foetus in cats from central Italy and its importance as a cause of chronic gastrointestinal signs. Moreover, the data here presented showed that the infection may also occur in adult and mixed-breed catsas previously reported (Doi et al., 2012J Vet Med Sci. 74: 413-41; Gruffydd-Jones et al., 2013 J Feline Med Surg. 15: 647-49)

Exposure to zoonotic vector-borne pathogens in cats from Italy

Feline Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) are of growing concern in veterinary medicine and public health, for their role for animal and human health [1,2,3]. Nevertheless, there is a lack of data both on the epidemiology and clinical features. Thus, increasing the knowledge on these aspects is of great importance to raise awareness of VBDs and improve diagnostic approaches in clinical settings. This study evaluated the exposure of cats living in Central and Southern Italy to different VBDs caused by the following pathogens: Bartonella henselae, Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia typhi, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria immitis. One-hundred and sixty-seven privately owned cats from Abruzzo and Apulia regions (i.e. n. 122 and n. 45 respectively) were microscopically (blood smears) and serologically (Immunofluorescence Antibody Test -IFAT) tested. Out of these, 46 were also evaluated for anti-D. immitis antibodies. Complete blood count (CBC), and serum chemistry were obtained from 42 and 44 animals that scored positive to at least one of microscopic or serological evaluations, respectively. All samples were microscopically negative. Overall, 52/167 cats (31.1%) were positive at IFAT for at least one VBD, specifically 35 (28.7%) from Abruzzo and 17 (37.8%) from Apulia. Thirty cats (18%) were seropositive for B. henselae, while 18 (10.8%) and 7 (4.2%) tested positive for R. felis and R. typhi respectively. Five cats (3%) showed seroreaction against L. infantum, while 4 and 4 cats each showed seropositivity for A. phagocytophilum and E. canis. No cats were positive for A. platys. Two (4.3%) of 46 cats were positive for antibodies against D. immitis. Nine (17.3%) out of the 52 positive animals had at least one clinical sign, with non-specific and respiratory manifestations being the most recorded. Different CBC abnormalities were present in 33/42 (78.6%) cats while serum chemistry alterations in 35/44 (79.5%) animals, being basophilia and increased liver enzymes predominant. Twenty-five (48.1%) out of the 52 cats seropositive to at least one VBDs were housed indoor. These data suggest that cats may be frequently exposed to VBDs in the study areas, and that also privately owned cats are at risk. Control strategies remain crucial for the prevention of feline VBDs [4] and antiparasitic drugs should be administered regularly regardless the cat lifestyle and housing, to reduce the risk of infection and to protect both animal and human health

Exposure to zoonotic vector-borne pathogens in cats from Italy

Feline Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) are of growing concern in veterinary medicine and public health, for their role for animal and human health [1,2,3]. Nevertheless, there is a lack of data both on the epidemiology and clinical features. Thus, increasing the knowledge on these aspects is of great importance to raise awareness of VBDs and improve diagnostic approaches in clinical settings. This study evaluated the exposure of cats living in Central and Southern Italy to different VBDs caused by the following pathogens: Bartonella henselae, Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia typhi, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria immitis. One-hundred and sixty-seven privately owned cats from Abruzzo and Apulia regions (i.e. n. 122 and n. 45 respectively) were microscopically (blood smears) and serologically (Immunofluorescence Antibody Test -IFAT) tested. Out of these, 46 were also evaluated for anti-D. immitis antibodies. Complete blood count (CBC), and serum chemistry were obtained from 42 and 44 animals that scored positive to at least one of microscopic or serological evaluations, respectively. All samples were microscopically negative. Overall, 52/167 cats (31.1%) were positive at IFAT for at least one VBD, specifically 35 (28.7%) from Abruzzo and 17 (37.8%) from Apulia. Thirty cats (18%) were seropositive for B. henselae, while 18 (10.8%) and 7 (4.2%) tested positive for R. felis and R. typhi respectively. Five cats (3%) showed seroreaction against L. infantum, while 4 and 4 cats each showed seropositivity for A. phagocytophilum and E. canis. No cats were positive for A. platys. Two (4.3%) of 46 cats were positive for antibodies against D. immitis. Nine (17.3%) out of the 52 positive animals had at least one clinical sign, with non-specific and respiratory manifestations being the most recorded. Different CBC abnormalities were present in 33/42 (78.6%) cats while serum chemistry alterations in 35/44 (79.5%) animals, being basophilia and increased liver enzymes predominant. Twenty-five (48.1%) out of the 52 cats seropositive to at least one VBDs were housed indoor. These data suggest that cats may be frequently exposed to VBDs in the study areas, and that also privately owned cats are at risk. Control strategies remain crucial for the prevention of feline VBDs [4] and antiparasitic drugs should be administered regularly regardless the cat lifestyle and housing, to reduce the risk of infection and to protect both animal and human health

Unusual biphasic renal tumour in a cat: gross and microscopic features and differential diagnosis

Renal tumors with biphasic pattern are a subset of neoplasms rarely occurring in humans. Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney (MESTK) is the term given to uncommon biphasic renal tumours, characterized by a mixture of epithelial and stromal components [1]. To the best of our knowledge, biphasic renal tumours are not described in veterinary medicine. The aim of this report is to describe the unusual gross and histological features of a renal tumour occurring in a 10-year-old, male castrated, European shorthair cat, presented with abdominal enlargement. Ultrasound examination revealed a heterogeneous mass originating from right renal parenchyma, occupying most of the caudal abdomen. CBC, serum chemistry with SDMA and urinalysis were within normal limits. Total right nephrectomy was performed. On gross examination, the affected kidney showed markedly increased volume (15x9x9 cm), with renal parenchyma substituted by a solid and cystic mass, characterized by multiple cysts of varying size, containing a clear to haemorrhagic fluid, admixed with white to greysh, solid areas, with multifocal mixoid appearance. No infiltration in the adjacent tissues or metastasis were detectable at the time of surgery. Samples of the mass were routinely processed for histology and immunohistochemistry for pan-cytokeratin (CK), vimentin, CAM5.2, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Histopathological examination revealed a neoplasm with biphasic features comprising epithelial and mesenchymal elements. The epithelial component was constituted by tubules and cysts, lined by cuboidal, well-differentiated epithelium, with frequent clear cell change. Urothelial-like epithelium also lined some of the larger cysts. The epithelial elements were variably interspersed throughout the mesenchymal component, characterized by bundles of spindle cells, multifocally surrounded by abundant mixoid matrix. Spindle cells showed slightly pleomorphic, ovoid nuclei, with occasional mitotic figures. The epithelial component showed intense and diffuse immunoreactivity for CK, CAM5.2 and vimentin, whereas spindle cells revealed intense, diffuse immunostaining for vimentin, and intense, variably distributed positivity for α-SMA. Histological and immunohistochemical findings suggested a biphasic renal tumour with features compatible with MESTK, which is tipically composed of tubules and cysts, interspersed between spindle cells showing smooth muscle, fibroblastic, or myofibroblastic differentiation. Although an aggressive behaviour was rarely reported, MESTK usually behaves in a benign fashion following surgical excision [1]. The cat is healthy after 2 months of follow-up. Differential diagnosis included leiomyomatous renal cell carcinoma, a rare human tumour composed of nests and cords of clear epithelial cells forming solid areas, tubules or papillary structures, immersed in a stroma composed of mature smooth muscle [3]. Renal leiomyosarcoma, rarely described in cat [4], was also excluded due to the biphasic pattern, the bland cytological features and variable α-SMA expression of spindle cells

Seroprevalence of the cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in Central Italy

NTRODUCTION. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Metastrongyloidea, Angiostrongyliidae), i.e. the “cat lungworm” infects cats worldwide. The Baermann’s method is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of A. abstrusus infection, although its sensitivity and specificity can be impaired by different factors (e.g. prepatency, intermittent larval shedding and low parasite burdens) (Traversa et al., 2010, Parasit. Vectors, 3:62). To overcome these limitations an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has recently been developed (Zottler et al., 2017, Vet. Parasitol., 235:75-82) as an alternative diagnostic tool. This is the first field study relying on this ELISA for the serological detection of antibodies vs the cat lungworm A. abstrusus in endemic areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sera samples of 250 cats from two endemic regions of Italy were tested for the presence of antibodies vs A. abstrusus by the ELISA, i.e. 162 from Abruzzo (Site A) and 88 from Umbria (Site B). In particular, 20 serum samples of cats infected with A. abstrusus and 20 of cats negative for lungworms by Baermann’s and PCR were used to select an OD cut off value (Subset A). Sera of 210 cats scoring negative for lungworms at Baermann’s were also tested (Subset B). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. A cut off value of 0.347 OD (sensitivity 95% and specificity 100%) was determined. Antibodies vs A. abstrusus were present in 45 samples (21.4%) from Subset B, in particular 28/142 (19.7%) and 17/68 (25%) from sites A and B respectively. These results show a higher prevalence of A. abstrusus if compared with those obtained in other surveys carried out in the same areas (Traversa et al., 2008, Parasitol. Res., 103:1191-1196; Di Cesare et al., 2011, Parasitol. Res., 1S87:96; Di Cesare et al., 2015, Parasitol. Res., 114:4463-4469) that used the Baermann’s test to diagnose the infection. This study confirms the endemicity of cat aelurostrongylosis in Italy, and shows that the newly developed ELISA represents a potential alternative for future large-scale epidemiological studies and for the clinical diagnosis of the infection, being able to detect even subclinical non patent infections and therefore overcoming the existing difficulties of copromicroscopic examinations

Larval development of the feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in Helix aspersa

The cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus affects the domestic cat and other felids all over the world. Feline aelurostrongylosis is of importance in clinical feline medicine and is gaining more and more attention for the present expansion in the geographical range of A. abstrusus. Global warming and changes in phenology of snail intermediate hosts have been incriminated in this spreading. Helix aspersa, a potential vector of A. abstrusus, is endemic in most regions of the world, where it has become recently a pest outside its native Mediterranean range. The present work evaluated key features of larval development of A. abstrusus in H. aspersa at two different temperature conditions. The results showed that A. abstrusus may reach the infective stage in muscular foot and viscera of H. aspersa and that environmental temperatures may influence the biological cycle of the cat lungworm. In particular, the higher the average temperature, the higher the rate of larval development, i.e., about 50% of larvae of A. abstrusus reached the infective stage between temperatures of 18.8-29.5 °C, while only 17.8% of larvae completed their development at temperatures of 6.7-22 °C. Biological and epidemiological implications are discussed