Abdominal Mass Aspirate from a Cat with Eosinophilia and Basophilia

Abstract

A 13-year-old, castrated, male cat was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Ontario Veterinary College with a 4-month history of intermittent vomiting, weight loss and inappropriate defecation. Previous medical problems included a l-year history of restrictive cardiomyopathy, for which the cat was receiving furosemide (2.5 mg SID), enalapril (2.5 mg SID), and 80 mg aspirin every 3 days.Thin body condition, increased respiratory rate and a grade IIIIVI systolic heart murmur were noted on physical examination. No significant findings were identified on thoracic radiographs. The hemogram was unremarkable except for marked eosinophilia (5.5 X 109/L, reference interval 0.0-0.2 X 109/L). Results of a serum biochemical profile revealed moderate increases in alkaline phosphatase (99 UIL, reference interval 10-35 UIL) and alanine aminotransferase (96 UIL, reference interval 13-55 UIL) activities. Serum thyroxine (T4) concentration was 71 nmolIL (reference interval 15-65 nmol/L). Urine specific gravity was 1.024. Results of serologic tests for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus were negative. Treatment with methimazole (2.5 mg every 12 hours) was initiated. The vomiting resolved and the cat was discharged.The cat was reevaluated 2 months later, following 2 days of anorexia and lethargy. On physical examination, the cat was pyrexic (39.8"C), dehydrated (7-8%), emaciated, and had a grade III/VI systolic heart murmur and marked abdominal distension. A mass was palpated in the cranial abdomen. Vital parameters were otherwise normal. The hemogram revealed a mild, normocytic, normochromic, nonregenerative anemia (hematocrit 0.23

Lymphoid System

“…Noninfectious causes such as malignancy or immune reaction can incite neutrophilic or eosinophilic infi ltration (Thorn and Aubert, 1999) (Fig. Noninfectious causes such as malignancy or immune reaction can incite neutrophilic or eosinophilic infi ltration (Thorn and Aubert, 1999) (Fig.…”

Marked paraneoplastic basophilia accompanying eosinophilia in a cat with alimentary T-cell lymphoma

“…In cats, paraneoplastic basophilia has previously been reported with intestinal and epitheliotropic lymphoma of T-cell origin, 1 , 2 feline large granular lymphocyte lymphoma, 8 acute and chronic myelogenous leukaemia, 3 , 4 and malignant mesenchymal tumour. 5 …”

“…Feline paraneoplastic basophilia has rarely been documented. 1 – 5 Non-neoplastic causes of basophilia are primarily attributed to allergic reactions and parasitism, previously reported with heartworm infection and polycythemia vera. 1 , 5 , 6 Other inflammatory disorders such as food allergy, flea dermatitis, eosinophilic granuloma and asthma are observed during IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions, and typically accompany eosinophilia.…”

“… 1 – 5 Non-neoplastic causes of basophilia are primarily attributed to allergic reactions and parasitism, previously reported with heartworm infection and polycythemia vera. 1 , 5 , 6 Other inflammatory disorders such as food allergy, flea dermatitis, eosinophilic granuloma and asthma are observed during IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions, and typically accompany eosinophilia. 6 , 7 The main cytokines responsible for the production and proliferation of basophils are interleukin (IL)-3 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, whereas IL-4 is the major cytokine responsible for tissue infiltration.…”

“…Paraneoplastic basophilia and eosinophilia in cats have been rarely reported together, predominantly with haemolymphatic malignancies, and usually accompanied by clinical signs of GI disease. 1 – 4 Feline basophils had mild-to-moderate increases, ranging from 0.2 × 10 9 /l with chronic myeloid leukaemia, 4 0.28 × 10 9 /l with the acute form, 3 and up to 0.58 × 10 9 /l with intestinal T-cell lymphoma. 2 The highest reported value was 2.8 × 10 9 /l, 1 also documented in a case of intestinal lymphoma.…”