A case of feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia limited to the mesentery

Abstract

An entire, female, mixed-breed cat of unknown age was presented with a 6-week history of lethargy, anorexia and vomiting. There was an increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood, including neutrophils and eosinophils; moderate anaemia; ascites; and possible mesenteric peritonitis. Exploratory laparotomy revealed firm, multifocal small nodules in the mesentery. As the nodules were surgically unresectable, they were biopsied. Histologically, the nodules were composed of thin trabeculae of dense collagen fibres mixed with plump fibroblasts and numerous eosinophils, consistent with feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia. Bacteria were not detected on histological examination of the nodules and cytology of the ascites. Remission of disease occurred following treatment with prednisolone and ciclosporin A for 22 days and antibiotics for 40 days. After remission, ciclosporin A was administered for 236 days and then discontinued. Eosinophilia also resolved after treatment with ciclosporin A. The cat is still alive and in good condition on day 689. This report describes what may be an atypical case of feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia, lacking involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, and was apparently cured by treatment that involved ciclosporin A.

Diagnosis and management of a case of retroperitoneal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia in a cat

“…In the other case reported, a cat was diagnosed with FGESF within the mesentery and no masses were found on an abdominal CT scan. 10 In the case presented here, the mass did not extend from the colonic wall, but instead originated in the retroperitoneal soft tissues, resulting in displacement and compression of the descending colon. Although the available literature indicates that multimodal therapy including immunosuppressive medication and surgical excision provides the best outcome, complete surgical excision of the primary mass was not pursued in this case.…”

Causes of eosinophilic ascites – A systematic review

“…Among the analyzed papers 2 of them included animal subjects with gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasias [2] and Leiomyosarcoma with paraneoplastic eosinophilia [3].…”

Feline abdominal ultrasonography: What’s normal? What’s abnormal? The diseased gastrointestinal tract

“…45 Mild ascites and hyperechoic mesentery have also been reported on ultrasound of a cat with FGESF limited to mesentery. 46…”

“…45 Mild ascites and hyperechoic mesentery have also been reported on ultrasound of a cat with FGESF limited to mesentery. 46 Intracellular bacteria are also frequently identified in FGESF lesions on histopathology, although it is uncertain whether the bacteria are the cause or a result of the condition. It is hypothesised that these bacteria may gain entry to the intestinal wall as a result of damage such as that caused by a penetrating foreign body or ulceration.…”