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Identification of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Paraffin-Embedded Feline Arterial Thrombi using Immunofluorescence Microscopy
Published on: March 29, 2020
Feline pyoderma therapy
Brett E Wildermuth1, Craig E Griffin, Wayne S Rosenkrantz
1Animal Dermatology Clinics of San Diego, San Diego, CA 92108, USA. bewilderdvm@aol.com
Abstract:
Feline pyoderma is a disease entity more prevalent than previously described. Diagnosis is made by finding bacteria in the presence of inflammatory cells or bacterial phagocytosis on routine cytological examination. Diseases leading to secondary bacterial pyoderma include allergic and inflammatory skin diseases, parasitosis, feline chin acne, and others. Lesions of feline pyoderma are variable and include crusted and eroded papules, pustules, furuncles, eroded to ulcerated plaques with variable exudation and crusting, and linear to nodular ulcerative granulomatous lesions. Three cases of feline pyoderma responsive to antimicrobial therapy are discussed: case 1, a 10.5-year-old male neutered domestic short hair with eosinophilic lip ulcer, case 2, a 7-year-old male neutered domestic short hair with multiple cutaneous eosinophilic plaques, and case 3, an 8-month-old male neutered domestic short hair cat with Pseudomonas dermatitis, vasculitis, and panniculitis. Antibiotic selection for treatment of feline pyoderma should be based on cytological examination, and culture and sensitivity in unresponsive cases.
Insights
Feline pyoderma, a common bacterial skin infection in cats, is diagnosed via cytology. Prompt antimicrobial therapy, guided by diagnostics, is crucial for effective treatment and managing diverse clinical presentations.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Feline pyoderma is an under-recognized bacterial skin disease in cats.
- Diagnosis relies on identifying bacteria alongside inflammatory cells or phagocytosis in cytological samples.
Observation:
- Lesions are highly variable, ranging from papules and pustules to ulcerated plaques and granulomatous formations.
- Secondary pyoderma can arise from underlying conditions like allergies, parasitism, or feline chin acne.
Findings:
- Three feline pyoderma cases demonstrated positive responses to antimicrobial therapy.
- Case examples included eosinophilic lip ulcer, cutaneous eosinophilic plaques, and severe Pseudomonas dermatitis with vasculitis and panniculitis.
Implications:
- Accurate cytological examination is vital for diagnosing feline pyoderma.
- Antimicrobial selection should be informed by initial diagnostics, with culture and sensitivity testing reserved for refractory cases.
