Clinicopathological and radiographic features in 40 cats diagnosed with pulmonary and cutaneous Rhodococcus equi infection (2012–2018)

Abstract

Objectives This retrospective study aimed to describe clinical manifestations, diagnostic options, radiological features, therapeutic plans and outcomes for cats infected with Rhodococcus equi. Methods Forty cats aged between 2 months and 11 years old (median 6 months) that were definitively diagnosed with rhodococcosis between 2012 and 2018 were recruited in this study. Medical records were reviewed for information on signalment, history, clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, treatment plans and clinical outcomes. Results Of the 40 cats, 36 showed the pulmonary form of the disease, with 35 (87.5%) presented with dyspnoea, while four cats presented with only cutaneous lesions. Mean body temperature was 38.7 ± 0.2°C. Dyspnoea was noted in 87.5% of the cats. Leukocytosis (58.3%) with band neutrophilia (83.3%), monocytosis (58.3%) and thrombocytopenia (55.5%) were prominent findings in the haematology reports. Hyperproteinaemia (61.1%) with hypoalbuminaemia (22.2%) and hyperglobulinaemia (63.8%) with a low albumin to globulin ratio (38.9%) were prominent features of blood biochemistry reports. An alveolar–interstitial pattern was noted in 75% of pre-thoracocentesis radiographs. Pleural effusion, hepatomegaly, thoracic lymphadenopathy and atelectasis of any lung lobe were seen in 88.9%, 75%, 41.7% and 36.1% of cats, respectively. Overall, the mortality rate was 67.5% in both forms. Conclusions and relevance Clinicians should be aware that feline rhodococcosis manifests as a pulmonary disease at a much higher rate than previously reported. Further studies are required to address the epidemiology, pathophysiology, disease management and prognosis of feline rhodococcosis. The role of immunosuppression as a predisposing factor in feline rhodococcosis requires further investigation.

Rhodococcus equi—Occurrence in Goats and Clinical Case Report

“…However, recent reports of infections in companion animals appear to be more thrilling in the possible transmission and even faster increase of antimicrobial resistance. Thus, this tendency is likely to change [ 9 , 11 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”

“…Disseminated organ abscessation with frequent involvement of the liver and lungs, as well as concurrent lymphadenitis and osteomyelitis, are most often reported in infected goats [ 15 , 17 , 18 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. The cutaneous and pulmonary form of the disease is reported in cats and dogs [ 9 , 11 , 30 , 31 ]. Pneumonia is the most common manifestation in humans, but EPDs, including pericarditis, mastitis, empyema, pericarditis, mediastinal and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy, brain and psoas abscesses, osteomyelitis, and spondylodiscitis are also observed.…”

Retrospective Study of Clinical Manifestations and Multiple Treatment Outcomes in 57 Cats Diagnosed with Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis

“…Monocytes circulate through the blood and extravasate into inflamed tissues during inflammation, following the general leukocyte recruitment cascade (Ley et al, 2007). Changes in cats' protein levels were due to systemic diseases, chronic infectious and inflammatory processes, and neoplastic disorders (Aslam et al, 2019;McGrotty and Knottenbelt, 2002). Serum globulin levels had been reported to increase in cats with FCGS (Mihaljevic, 2003).…”

Accuracy of acute‐phase proteins in identifying lethargic and anorectic cats with increased serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity

“…Recently, the link between the presence and severity of FP and SAA concentrations has been shown in several studies 18,22,24,25 . Albumin is considered a negative APP in cats, and a reduced A/G ratio is regarded as a useful screening marker for feline diseases, 26 such as feline infectious peritonitis 17 and cutaneous and pulmonary rhodococcosis infection 27 . Studies have only evaluated the statistical significance of the relationship between the APPs and FP without reporting any measures of diagnostic accuracy.…”