Pulmonary rhodococcosis in a cat

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Bacteriology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Rhodococcus equi is an environmental bacterium rarely causing disease in cats.
• While typically affecting horses, R equi has been documented in other domestic animals.
• Previous feline cases primarily involved skin and subcutaneous infections.

Observation:

• This report details an acute necrosuppurative pneumonia in a domestic cat.
• Pathological and microbiological analyses were performed on the affected feline.
• Virulence factors of the R equi strain were investigated.

Findings:

• The study describes the first documented case of feline pulmonary R equi infection in Italy.
• Detailed pathological and microbiological findings of the pneumonia are presented.
• The virulence characteristics of the isolated R equi strain were elucidated.

Implications:

• This finding expands the known spectrum of R equi disease in felines.
• It underscores the potential for severe pulmonary manifestations in cats.
• Highlights the importance of considering R equi in feline pneumonia, even in regions where it's considered rare.