Clinical and clinicopathological features and outcomes of cats with suspected dietary induced pancytopenia

Abstract

Background After a strong epidemiological link to diet was established in an outbreak of pancytopenia in cats in spring 2021 in the United Kingdom, 3 dry diets were recalled. Concentrations of the hemato‐ and myelotoxic mycotoxins T‐2, HT‐2 and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) greater than the European Commission guidance for dry cat foods were detected in the recalled diets. Objectives To describe clinical and clinicopathological findings in cats diagnosed with suspected diet induced pancytopenia. Animals Fifty cats presenting with pancytopenia after exposure to a recalled diet. Methods Multicenter retrospective case series study. Cats with known exposure to 1 of the recalled diets were included if presented with bi‐ or pancytopenia and underwent bone marrow examination. Results Case fatality rate was 78%. Bone marrow aspirates and biopsy examination results were available in 23 cats; 19 cats had a bone marrow aspirate, and 8 cats had a biopsy core, available for examination. Bone marrow hypo to aplasia—often affecting all cell lines—was the main feature in all 31 available core specimens. A disproportionately pronounced effect on myeloid and megakaryocytic cells was observed in 19 cats. Myelofibrosis or bone marrow necrosis was not a feature. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Mycotoxin induced pancytopenia should be considered as differential diagnosis in otherwise healthy cats presenting with bi‐ or pancytopenia and bone marrow hypo‐ to aplasia.

An investigation into an outbreak of pancytopenia in cats in the United Kingdom

“…The strong epidemiological link to feed—with over 86% of affected cats being exposed to at least 1 of the recalled diets—suggested either a feed deficiency or intoxication. Diagnostic tests performed on individual cats showed no evidence of vitamin deficiency or heavy metal intoxication 18 . The group A tricothecene mycotoxins T‐2 and HT‐2 (a metabolite of T‐2), produced by Fusarium spp.…”

“…Diagnostic tests performed on individual cats showed no evidence of vitamin deficiency or heavy metal intoxication. 18 The group A tricothecene mycotoxins T-2 and HT-2 (a metabolite of T-2), produced by Fusarium spp.…”

“…Diagnostic tests performed on individual cats showed no evidence of vitamin deficiency or heavy metal intoxication. 18 The group A tricothecene mycotoxins T‐2 and HT‐2 (a metabolite of T‐2), produced by Fusarium spp. fungi, cause alimentary toxic aleukia in humans in which pancytopenia and bleeding because of bone marrow toxicosis are seen.…”