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Herpesvirus dermatitis in two cats without facial lesions
Melissa D Sánchez1, Michael H Goldschmidt, Elizabeth A Mauldin
1Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. msanchez@vet.upenn.edu
Background:
Cats with feline herpesvirus (FeHV-1)-associated dermatitis typically present with ulcerative lesions on the rostral muzzle and nasal planum. This report describes FeHV-1 dermatitis in the flank region, in the absence of facial lesions.
Hypothesis/Objectives:
Clinicians should be aware of this unusual manifestation of FeHV-1 dermatitis to prevent potential misdiagnosis.
Animals:
A 12-year-old male castrated Bengal cat and a 3-year-old male castrated Siamese cat with plaques and ulcers in the flank region are described.
Methods:
Formalin-fixed biopsy samples were obtained from lesional skin. Histopathology and FeHV-1 immunohistochemistry were performed.
Results:
Each sample had epidermal and follicular necrosis with a dense dermal infiltrate of eosinophils. Few to moderate numbers of intranuclear inclusion bodies were present in keratinocytes. The presence of FeHV-1 in the lesions was confirmed with immunohistochemistry.
Conclusions And Clinical Importance:
Feline herpesvirus-associated dermatitis should not be ruled out based on the location of the lesion, because a correct diagnosis is imperative for proper treatment. Future studies to assess the cause of lesions at this unusual site are warranted.
