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Hartung BF, Mueller RS, Gauss J, Weitzer T, Boehm TMSA, Palić J, Schulz B. Reactions to environmental allergens in cats with feline lower airway disease. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1267496. [PMID: 38130436 PMCID: PMC10734688 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1267496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Aeroallergens have been discussed as potential triggers for feline asthma (FA), which can be induced experimentally by allergen sensitization. To date, only few studies have investigated reactions to environmental allergens in cats with naturally occurring feline lower airway disease (FLAD). The aim of the study was to compare results of intradermal testing (IDT) and serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E-(IgE) testing (SAT) in cats with FLAD, and to investigate possible associations with allergen exposure. Material and methods Eight cats with eosinophilic airway inflammation (EI), ten cats with mixed inflammation (MI), six with neutrophilic inflammation (NI), and 24 healthy cats (HC) were included. Cats diagnosed with FLAD were assigned to the different inflammatory groups based on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BLAF) cytology. SAT was performed in all cats; IDT was only carried out in cats with FLAD. Information about the cats' environment and potential allergen exposure was obtained using an owner questionnaire. Results In comparison to 83% of HC with positive reactions on SAT only 52% of cats with FLAD had positive responses (p = 0.051). Significantly more positive reactions per cat were detected on IDT than on SAT (p = 0.001). No significant difference was found for positive reactions per cat on SAT when compared between HC, NI, EI, and MI (p = 0.377). Only "slight" agreement was found for most allergens when reactions obtained in both tests in cats with FLAD were compared, except for "moderate" agreement for English plantain (k = 0.504) and Alternaria alternata (k = 0.488). Overall, no clear association between the cats' environment and allergen reactions were detected. Conclusions and clinical importance Interpretation of allergy test results in cats with FLAD should be done in the context of clinical signs and individual factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birte F. Hartung
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ralf S. Mueller
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jana Gauss
- Statistical Consulting Unit StaBLab, Department of Statistics, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tamara Weitzer
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jelena Palić
- Vet Med Labor GmbH Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Kornwestheim, Germany
| | - Bianka Schulz
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Richter P, Stursberg U, Pfeiffer I, Loesenbeck G, Sauter-Louis C, Hartmann K, Mueller RS, Doerfelt R, Schulz BS. Intradermal testing and serum allergen-specific IgE-testing in cats with naturally occurring feline bronchial disease. TIERARZTLICHE PRAXIS. AUSGABE K, KLEINTIERE/HEIMTIERE 2023; 51:403-410. [PMID: 38056477 DOI: 10.1055/a-2190-4139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES While feline asthma (FA) is considered to be of allergic origin, the etiology of feline chronic bronchitis (CB) to date is unknown. Aim of the study was to compare the results of intradermal testing (IDT) and serum testing for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (SAT) in cats diagnosed with FA and CB. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-seven client-owned cats with clinical signs, suggestive of feline inflammatory bronchial disease (FBD) were prospectively enrolled in the study. Patients were assigned to 3 groups based on results of bronchoalveolar-lavage-fluid (BALF)-cytology: FA (n=8), CB (n=10), or cats with a physiological BALF cytology (PB; n=9). A standardized IDT for 27 allergens was performed in all cats. In addition, allergen-specific IgE was measured in serum samples using an FcεRIα-ELISA. The number of positive reactions in both tests was compared between groups, and agreement between test results of both tests was evaluated. RESULTS Regarding the number of positive reactions, no statistically significant difference was detected between groups in IDT (p=0.65) and SAT (p=0.51). When comparing the 2 test systems, a weak correlation was found for the allergens Tyrophagus putrescentiae (k=0.256), Dermatophagoides farinae (k=0.276), and rye (k=0.273). The most commonly observed reactions were to house dust mites, storage mites, rye and nettle in IDT and to sheep sorrel, storage mites, and house dust mites in SAT. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE IDT and SAT in cats with feline inflammatory bronchial disease (FBD) cannot be used interchangeably for allergen detection. Sensitization to environmental allergens can occur in cats with and without airway inflammation. Therefore, a positive test result should always be assessed in context with clinical signs and allergen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Richter
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Stursberg
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
| | | | - Gerhard Loesenbeck
- Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, Laboratory for Clinical Diagnostics, Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | - Carola Sauter-Louis
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
| | - Ralf S Mueller
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
| | - Renè Doerfelt
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
| | - Bianka S Schulz
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
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Hörner-Schmid L, Palić J, Mueller RS, Schulz B. Serum Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Cats with Inflammatory Bronchial Disease. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3226. [PMID: 37893950 PMCID: PMC10603667 DOI: 10.3390/ani13203226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiology of feline inflammatory bronchial disease is poorly understood. This study compares the degree of allergen-specific serum IgE responses between cats with feline asthma, chronic bronchitis, mixed inflammation, and clinically healthy cats (HCs). The retrospective case-control study used serum from eighteen cats with eosinophilic inflammation (EI), ten with neutrophilic inflammation (NI), six with mixed inflammation (MI), and fourteen HCs. Affected cats were categorized into groups based on bronchoalveolar lavage cytology. The measurement of IgE for 34 different allergens including fungal organisms, weeds, grasses, trees, mites, and insects was performed using an indirect ELISA. Positive reactions to allergens were detected in the serum of 17/18 cats with EI, 8/10 with NI, 6/6 with MI, and 11/14 HCs (p = 0.364). When overall positive reactions were compared between groups, cats with MI (p = <0.01) had significantly more positive reactions against mite allergens than HCs. Blood eosinophils inversely correlated with the absolute amount of allergen-specific serum IgE expressed in ELISA absorbance units (EAs) (p = 0.014). Sensitization against dust mites seems to be more prevalent in cats with MI. However, positive IgE reactions can be observed in healthy and diseased cats, and, therefore, need to be interpreted in the light of clinical findings and environmental conditions of individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jelena Palić
- Vet Med Labor GmbH Division of IDEXX Laboratories, 70806 Kornwestheim, Germany
| | - Ralf S. Mueller
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, University of Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Bianka Schulz
- LMU Small Animal Clinic, University of Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
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Werner M, Weeger J, Hörner-Schmid L, Weber K, Palić J, Shih J, Suchodolski JS, Pilla R, Schulz B. Comparison of the respiratory bacterial microbiome in cats with feline asthma and chronic bronchitis. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1148849. [PMID: 37051512 PMCID: PMC10083293 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1148849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesWhile feline chronic bronchitis (CB) is known as neutrophilic bronchial inflammation (NI), feline asthma (FA) is defined as an eosinophilic airway inflammation (EI). Feline chronic bronchial disease refers to both syndromes, with similar clinical presentations and applied treatment strategies. Recent studies described alterations of the microbiota composition in cats with FA, but little is known about the comparison of the lung microbiota between different types of feline bronchial disease. The study aimed to describe the bacterial microbiota of the lower respiratory tracts of cats with FA and CB and to identify potential differences.MethodsTwenty-two client-owned cats with FA (n = 15) or CB (n = 7) confirmed via bronchoalveolar-lavage (BALF)-cytology were included. Next-generation sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes was performed on bacterial DNA derived from BALF samples. QIIME was used to compare microbial composition and diversity between groups.ResultsEvenness and alpha-diversity-indices did not significantly differ between cats with FA and CB (Shannon p = 0.084, Chao 1 p = 0.698, observed ASVs p = 0.944). Based on a PERMANOVA analysis, no significant differences were observed in microbial composition between animals of both groups (Bray-Curtis metric, R-value 0.086, p = 0.785; unweighted UniFrac metric, R-value −0.089, p = 0.799; weighted Unifrac metric, R-value −0.072, p = 0.823). Regarding taxonomic composition, significant differences were detected for Actinobacteria on the phylum level (p = 0.026), Mycoplasma spp. (p = 0.048), and Acinetobacteria (p = 0.049) on the genus level between cats with FA and CB, with generally strong interindividual differences seen. There was a significant difference in the duration of clinical signs before diagnosis in animals dominated by Bacteriodetes (median 12 months, range 2–58 months) compared to animals dominated by Proteobacteria (median 1 month, range 1 day to 18 months; p = 0.003).Conclusions and relevanceLung microbiota composition is very similar in cat populations with spontaneous FA and CB besides small differences in some bacterial groups. However, with disease progression, the lung microbiome of cats with both diseases appears to shift away from dominantly Proteobacteria to a pattern more dominated by Bacteriodetes. A substantial proportion of cats tested positive for Mycoplasma spp. via sequencing, while none of them tested positive using classical PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Werner
- Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
- Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jasmin Weeger
- Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Lina Hörner-Schmid
- Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Karin Weber
- Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Jelena Palić
- Vet Med Labor GmbH, Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Kornwestheim, Germany
| | - Jonathan Shih
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Jan S. Suchodolski
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Rachel Pilla
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Bianka Schulz
- Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Bianka Schulz
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Vientós-Plotts AI, Ericsson AC, McAdams ZL, Rindt H, Reinero CR. Respiratory dysbiosis in cats with spontaneous allergic asthma. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:930385. [PMID: 36157187 PMCID: PMC9492960 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.930385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Deviations from a core airway microbiota have been associated with the development and progression of asthma as well as disease severity. Pet cats represent a large animal model for allergic asthma, as they spontaneously develop a disease similar to atopic childhood asthma. This study aimed to describe the lower airway microbiota of asthmatic pet cats and compare it to healthy cats to document respiratory dysbiosis occurring with airway inflammation. We hypothesized that asthmatic cats would have lower airway dysbiosis characterized by a decrease in richness, diversity, and alterations in microbial community composition including identification of possible pathobionts. In the current study, a significant difference in airway microbiota composition was documented between spontaneously asthmatic pet cats and healthy research cats mirroring the finding of dysbiosis in asthmatic humans. Filobacterium and Acinetobacter spp. were identified as predominant taxa in asthmatic cats without documented infection based on standard culture and could represent pathobionts in the lower airways of cats. Mycoplasma felis, a known lower airway pathogen of cats, was identified in 35% of asthmatic but not healthy cats. This article has been published alongside "Temporal changes of the respiratory microbiota as cats transition from health to experimental acute and chronic allergic asthma" (1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida I. Vientós-Plotts
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Comparative Internal Medicine Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Aaron C. Ericsson
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- University of Missouri Metagenomics Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Zachary L. McAdams
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Hansjorg Rindt
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Comparative Internal Medicine Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Carol R. Reinero
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Comparative Internal Medicine Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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Atopic Dermatitis in Domestic Animals: What Our Current Understanding Is and How This Applies to Clinical Practice. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8070124. [PMID: 34357916 PMCID: PMC8310319 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8070124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis is a clinical syndrome that affects both people and animals. Dogs closely mimic the complexity of the human skin disease, and much progress has been made in recent years in terms of our understanding of the role of skin impairment and the identification of new treatments. Cats and horses also develop atopic syndromes which include both cutaneous and respiratory signs, yet studies in these species are lagging. It is now recognized that atopic dermatitis is not a single disease but a multifaceted clinical syndrome with different pathways in various subgroups of patients. Appreciating this complexity is clinically relevant as we develop more targeted treatments which may work well in some patients but not in others. Different phenotypes of atopic dermatitis have been described in dogs, and it is possible that phenotypes related to breed and age may exist in other animals similar to how they are described in people. The awareness of different mechanisms of disease leads to the desire to correlate different phenotypes with specific biomarkers and responses to treatment. In this review, the current understanding and updated information on atopic syndrome in animals are described, highlighting opportunities for further studies in the future.
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A novel Filobacterium sp can cause chronic bronchitis in cats. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251968. [PMID: 34106938 PMCID: PMC8189514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cilia-associated respiratory bacillus (CARB; now known as Filobacterium rodentium gen. nov., sp. nov.) is a primary pathogen of rodents. A CARB-like organism was reported in post-mortem lung samples of cats using light and electron microscopy. Here we explore by molecular procedures if a Filobacterium sp. is a part of the normal feline lower respiratory microbiome and whether it could in some cats contribute to the development of chronic bronchial disease. Methodology A Filobacterium sp. was identified in three Czech cats clinically diagnosed as having chronic neutrophilic bronchitis. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens obtained from these cats were subjected to panbacterial 16S rDNA PCR followed by Sanger sequencing of the V5 to V8 region. After these cats were treated with specific antimicrobials, their clinical signs resolved promptly, without recurrence. Next, BALF specimens from 13 Australian and 11 Italian cats with lower respiratory disease and an additional 16 lung samples of Italian cats who died of various causes were examined using next generation sequencing (NGS). Subsequently, a Filobacterium-specific qPCR assay was developed and used to re-test BALF specimens from the 11 Italian cats and lung tissue homogenates from the additional 16 deceased cats. Principal findings An amplicon of 548 bp with 91.24% sequence agreement with Filobacterium rodentium was obtained from all three patients, suggesting the novel Filobacterium sp. was the cause of their lower respiratory disease. The novel Filobacterium sp., which we propose to call F. felis, was detected in 3/3 Czech cats with chronic neutrophilic bronchitis, 13/13 Australian cats and 6/11 Italian cats with chronic lower respiratory disease, and 14/16 necropsy lung specimens from Italian cats. NGS and qPCR results all showed identical sequences. The Filobacterium sp. was sometimes the preponderant bacterial species in BALF specimens from cats with lower airway disease. There was an association between the presence of large numbers (greater than 105 organisms/mL) of Filobacterium and the presence of neutrophilic and/or histiocytic inflammation, although only a subset of inflammatory BALF specimens had F. felis as the preponderant organism. Conclusion The novel Filobacterium sp. comprises a finite part of the normal feline lower respiratory microbiome. Under certain circumstances it can increase in absolute and relative abundance and give rise to neutrophilic and/or histiocytic bronchitis, bronchiolitis and bronchopneumonia. These findings strongly suggest that F. felis could be an underdiagnosed cause of feline bronchial disease.
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Halliwell R, Banovic F, Mueller RS, Olivry T. Immunopathogenesis of the feline atopic syndrome. Vet Dermatol 2021; 32:13-e4. [PMID: 33470018 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feline diseases of possible allergic origin with similar clinical phenotypes can have a varied underlying pathogenesis. Clinical phenotype, precise aetiology and underlying immunopathogenesis all need to be considered if advances in this neglected area of dermatology are to be made. OBJECTIVES To document the status of research into the immunopathogenesis of the diseases that fall within the spectrum of the feline atopic syndrome (FAS ), to summarize the conclusions, identify the limitations and recommend future research directions. METHODS AND MATERIALS A search of the literature was undertaken. The strengths and validity of the data and the contributions to our current understanding of the immunopathogenesis were analysed. Skin diseases of presumed allergic aetiology and asthma were assessed separately, as was the role of antibodies, cells and cytokines in each. RESULTS The research varied in its quality and its impact often was limited by a failure to employ strict criteria in case selection. This reflected the difficulties of skin reaction patterns associated with a number of inciting causes. Research into feline asthma was handicapped by the difficulties of investigating clinical material, and much of the useful information was derived from experimental models. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The evidence reviewed was supportive of a role for immunoglobulin (Ig)E in the pathogenesis of both feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) and asthma, albeit not strongly so. The inflammation noted in both FASS and asthma is accompanied by eosinophils and lymphocytes, and these findings, together with the cytokine expression, are suggestive in some (not all) cats of T-helper type 2 immune dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Halliwell
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Frane Banovic
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, GA, 30605, USA
| | - Ralf S Mueller
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstr 13, Munich, Germany
| | - Thierry Olivry
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
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Buller MC, Johnson LR, Outerbridge CA, Vernau W, White SD. Serum immunoglobulin E responses to aeroallergens in cats with naturally occurring airway eosinophilia compared to unaffected control cats. J Vet Intern Med 2020; 34:2671-2676. [PMID: 33140902 PMCID: PMC7694819 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eosinophilic airway disease in cats is sometimes described as allergic in origin, but controversy exists in the documentation of allergy in cats and the utility of allergy testing for respiratory tract diseases. OBJECTIVE To examine serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) response to aeroallergens in cats with airway eosinophilia. ANIMALS Fifteen cats with idiopathic eosinophilic airway inflammation and 9 control cats. METHODS Prospective, case-control study. Surplus serum from cats with airway eosinophilia documented by bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage was submitted for IgE measurement using ELISA polyclonal antibody methodology. Responses for regional allergens (fungal organisms, weeds, grasses, trees, mites, insects) were assessed. Results were reported as ELISA absorbance units with scores 0 to 79 considered negative, scores between 80 and 300 considered intermediate, and scores >300 considered positive. RESULTS Cats with airway eosinophilia had significantly more positive serum IgE responses (25/720) than did healthy controls (5/432, P = .02); however, the number of cats with positive IgE responses (5/15) did not differ from controls (1/9, P = .35). The allergen that most commonly resulted in positive serum IgE response in cats with airway eosinophilia was dust mite (n = 4) followed by 2 types of storage mites (n = 3 each). No control cat tested positive for these allergens. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Serum IgE production against aeroallergens was found in some cats with eosinophilic airway inflammation, but the number of affected cats with positive results did not differ from controls. Further investigation in cats with eosinophilic, mixed, and neutrophilic airway disease in comparison to control cats is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie C Buller
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA
| | - Lynelle R Johnson
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA
| | - Catherine A Outerbridge
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA
| | - William Vernau
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA
| | - Stephen D White
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California, USA
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