Feline 2 AI Flashcards
What is the significance of anaemia in cats infected with FeLV and Candidatus M. Haemominutum?
Significant anaemia has been seen in cats infected with FeLV and Candidatus M. Haemominutum.
What is myloproliferative disease and how does it relate to co-infected cats?
Myloproliferative disease occurs more frequently in co-infected cats than in cats with FeLV alone.
What is known about Candidatus M. turicensis in relation to anaemia and blood smear assessment?
Candidatus M. turicensis has never been visualized on blood smear assessment but has been associated with severe intravascular haemolysis.
What is the prevalence range of Candidatus M. turicensis in sick cats?
The prevalence of Candidatus M. turicensis in sick cats varies from 0.5-10%.
Is there any association between retrovirus status and Mycoplasma haemofelis infection?
Some studies report an association between retrovirus status and Mycoplasma haemofelis infection, with haemoplasma positive cats being up to six times more likely to be FIV positive.
What are the different phases of haemoplasma infection?
The different phases of haemoplasma infection include pre-bacteraemic, acute infection, recovery, and carrier phases.
What is the duration of the pre-bacteraemic phase after inoculation with M. haemofelis?
The pre-bacteraemic phase after inoculation with M. haemofelis can last from 2 to 34 days.
What are the clinical signs commonly observed in cats with haemoplasma infection?
Common clinical signs include depression, inappetence, dehydration, weight loss, pale mucous membranes, tachypnoea, tachycardia, heart murmurs, splenomegaly, icterus, pica, and licking at concrete.
What are the typical findings on blood smear in cats with haemoplasma infection?
Typical findings on blood smear include autoagglutination, regenerative anaemia with anisocytosis, reticulocytosis, polychromasia, and Howell-Jolly bodies. Non-regenerative anaemia may also be seen in some cases.
What is the preferred treatment for haemoplasma infection?
Doxycycline 10mg/kg q24 PO for a minimum of 2 weeks is the treatment of choice.
What is the role of Marbofloxacin in the treatment of haemoplasma infection?
Marbofloxacin has been demonstrated to be effective at decreasing DNA copy numbers, but these levels may return to pre-treatment levels on cessation of therapy.
When is blood transfusion warranted in cats with haemoplasma infection?
Blood transfusion may be warranted in cats with haemoplasma infection.
What factors may contribute to the formation of a carrier state in cats with haemoplasma infection?
Stress, pregnancy, corticosteroid administration, concurrent illness, or neoplasia may contribute to the formation of a carrier state in cats with haemoplasma infection.
How accurate is cytological diagnosis in detecting haemoplasma infections?
Cytological diagnosis detects less than 50% of M. haemofelis infections and substantially less Candidatus M. Haemominutum infections.
What is the gold standard for detecting haemoplasma infection?
PCR detection is the gold standard for detecting haemoplasma infection.
What should be considered before undertaking bronchoscopy and BAL in cats?
The risk/benefit ratio
What pre-medication can be useful before bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in cats?
Terbutaline, if there are no contra-indications
What technique can be used for performing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in cats?
Either with bronchoscopic guidance or by a blind technique
How should the cat be positioned during bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) if the disease is unilateral?
In lateral recumbency with the affected side placed down
What type of catheter is typically used for performing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in cats without endoscopic guidance?
A sterile dog urinary catheter
What should the sterile catheter be measured against when performing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) without endoscopic guidance?
Against the cat’s chest
How much pre-warmed sterile saline is typically flushed down the catheter during bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)?
Approximately 3ml aliquots are used
What should be done between flushing and aspirating during bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)?
Coupàge the chest to release cells into the saline
How many flushes are typically performed during bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)?
Three flushes
What is the ideal flush for cytological examination during bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)?
The third flush
What should be done after collection of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)?
Allow the cat a few minutes of increased oxygenation prior to recovery from anesthesia
What emergency bronchodilator can be administered if bronchoconstriction is stimulated during bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)?
IV terbutaline
What should be assessed in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collected?
Cytology and culture
What should be done if anaerobic culture is required for the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sample?
All air should be removed from the container
Which species should be specifically requested to be looked for during culture, as they are not routinely cultured for?
Bordetella bronchiseptica and Mycoplasma species
What is the normal range of nucleated cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in healthy cats?
150-450 cells/µl
What is the normal range of macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in healthy cats?
60-90%
What is the normal range of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in healthy cats?
2-30%
What do leukocytes with intracellular bacteria in tracheal/bronchial fluid indicate?
Active infection
What do large numbers of neutrophils, especially those with degenerative changes, in tracheal/bronchial fluid suggest?
Infection
What should be performed before antibiotic administration for tracheal/bronchial fluid culture?
Culture and sensitivity including anaerobic culture
What should be provided if the SPO2 is less than 94% or PaO2 is less than 80mmHg in cats with pneumonia?
Oxygen supplementation
Why is humidification of oxygen essential for cats with pneumonia?
To maintain the mucociliary escalator and facilitate coughing of secretions
Why are intravenous fluids often indicated for cats with pneumonia?
To compensate for fluid loss and prevent dehydration
How can inappetant cats with pneumonia benefit in terms of nutrition?
Supplemental feeding through parenteral nutrition or nasooesophageal/oesophagostomy tube placement
What is the VLA culture system optimized for?
The growth of M. bovis and other members of the tuberculosis complex group.
Why are NTM difficult to grow?
Even with optimized systems, NTM are exceedingly difficult to grow.
What has PCR demonstrated in samples with pyogranulomatous inflammation?
PCR has demonstrated mycobacterial infection in ZN negative samples.
What does relying on special stains alone potentially lead to?
Gross underestimation of tuberculosis prevalence.
What has historically caused tuberculosis in cats?
Ingestion of milk from tuberculous infected cattle.
What has led to a decline in tuberculosis prevalence in cats?
Reduction of tuberculosis in the national herd and pasteurization of milk.
What are the two main forms of tuberculosis seen in cats?
Infection with M. bovis or M. microti.
How rare is M. tuberculosis infection in cats?
Incredibly rare, as cats are naturally very resistant to it.
What is the current epidemiology of tuberculosis in cats?
Unclear, but few cases are believed to relate to direct infection from cattle.
What are the common clinical manifestations of tuberculosis in cats?
Skin ulcers, masses that fail to heal, and lymphadenopathy.
What possible risk factor is associated with cats infected with tuberculosis?
Cats that are keen hunters and regularly catch small rodents.
Which wild animals in the UK can carry M. bovis and M. microti?
Wild mice, voles, foxes, stoats, moles, rats, and deer.
How do cats most likely become infected with tuberculosis?
By hunting small wild rodents and being bitten during play.
Where is M. bovis often endemic in Britain?
In badgers, with a potential risk for cats to become infected through environmental contamination.
Are all members of the tuberculosis complex a potential zoonotic risk?
Yes, all members pose potential zoonotic risks.
Have there been any reported cases of cats passing tuberculosis to humans?
To date, there have been no reported cases of cats transmitting tuberculosis to humans.
What are the variable changes that can occur in feline tuberculosis?
The variable changes in feline tuberculosis include tracheo-bronchial lymphadenopathy, interstitial or miliary lung infiltration, localised lung consolidation, or pleural effusion.
What may be revealed through abdominal radiography in feline tuberculosis?
Abdominal radiography may reveal hepato- or splenomegaly, abdominal masses, mineralised mesenteric lymph nodes or ascites.
What do bone lesions tend to consist of in feline tuberculosis?
Bone lesions tend to consist of areas of bony lysis and sclerosis, osteoarthritis, discospondylitis or periostitis.
What is the recently developed test for detecting members of the tuberculosis complex in cats?
The recently developed test is the interferon-gamma test.
Are specific tests for the diagnosis of tuberculosis helpful in cats?
Specific tests for the diagnosis of tuberculosis have generally proved less helpful in cats.
What type of test is unreliable in cats for detecting tuberculosis?
Intra-dermal skin testing using tuberculin is unreliable in cats.
How can mycobacterial involvement be confirmed in cats?
Mycobacterial involvement can be confirmed by staining aspirates and/or biopsy samples of affected tissue with ZN stain or other specific special stains.
Why is it important to identify the exact species of mycobacteria involved in feline tuberculosis?
Identifying the exact species helps evaluate zoonotic risk, potential sources of infection, and feasible treatment options.
What is the recommended handling procedure for biopsy material in suspected mycobacterial cases?
Collect the biopsy, fix one piece in formalin for histopathological examination and ZN staining, freeze two pieces, and send the fourth sample unfixed for bacterial culture and ZN staining.
What does histopathology of affected tissue in feline tuberculosis generally reveal?
Histopathology of affected tissue generally reveals granulomatous inflammation with foamy macrophages containing acid-fast bacilli.
What should be considered before deciding to treat a case of suspected feline tuberculosis?
Potential zoonotic risk and involvement of all members of the affected cat’s household should be considered.
When is treatment of suspected feline tuberculosis strongly advised against?
Treatment is strongly advised against if immune-suppressed individuals may be exposed to an infected cat.
Who should receive particular consideration regarding zoonotic risk in feline tuberculosis cases?
Household members with HIV infection, or those undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplantation, should receive particular consideration.
What is the alternative option for culture when tissue is not available for feline tuberculosis diagnosis?
Molecular PCR techniques can be considered as an alternative to culture when tissue is not available.
What can be sent for specialist culture if ZN positive organisms are found in feline tuberculosis samples?
One of the frozen pieces can be sent for specialist culture to identify the mycobacteria species.
When is PCR recommended for feline tuberculosis diagnosis?
PCR is recommended in cases where treatment is being considered, as culture can take up to 6 months.
What are the greatest tuberculosis risks to humans?
Spending time with infected humans or handling infected cattle.
What is a reverse zoonosis?
When humans infect animals with tuberculosis.
What are the geographical distributions of M. bovis and M. microti in cats in Great Britain?
M. bovis is found in the South West of England, while M. microti is found in the South East of England, the North of England, and the South of Scotland.
Which cats are mainly affected by tuberculosis?
Adult cats, with the median age being 3 years for M. bovis and 8 years for M. microti.
Are FIV and FeLV infections common in cats with tuberculosis?
No, as those cats tested for FIV and FeLV have usually been negative.
What role does low serum vitamin D concentrations play in fighting tuberculosis in cats?
Low serum vitamin D concentrations may affect the effectiveness of their macrophages in fighting these infections.
What are the clinical signs of tuberculosis in cats?
Systemic signs related to the alimentary and/or respiratory tracts, or localised disease affecting the skin.
What is the most common presentation for tuberculosis in cats?
The cutaneous form, with respiratory and alimentary forms being less frequent.
Where do cutaneous lesions of tuberculosis in cats commonly occur?
On the face, extremities, tail base, perineum, or ventral thorax.
What are the manifestations of tuberculosis in cats with pulmonary infection?
Weight loss, anorexia, dyspnoea, and coughing.
What are the manifestations of tuberculosis in cats with alimentary infection?
Weight loss, anaemia, vomiting, and diarrhoea due to intestinal malabsorption.
What clinical signs may be seen with disseminated tuberculosis in cats?
Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, pleural or pericardial effusions, generalised lymphadenopathy, weight loss, and fever.
What complications can arise in cats with tuberculosis?
Lameness from bone involvement, granulomatous uveitis, and central nervous system involvement.
What are the non-specific tests used for diagnosing tuberculosis in cats?
Evaluation of serum biochemistry and haematology, and radiography to appraise lung involvement.
What correlation has been observed between hypercalcaemia and tuberculosis in cats?
Hypercalcaemia appears to correlate with a poorer prognosis.