Cytological Findings of 140 Bile Samples from Dogs and Cats and Associated Clinical Pathological Data

Abstract

BackgroundCholecystocentesis can be part of the diagnostic workup of hepatobiliary disease in small animals, but literature on cytological evaluation of bile is scant.ObjectivesTo determine the diagnostic utility of cytological assessment of bile aspirates.AnimalsFifty‐six and 78 client‐owned dogs and cats, respectively, with bile collected by cholecystocentesis and submitted to our diagnostic laboratory between 1999 and 2014.MethodsRetrospective study describing cytological findings of bile, concurrent bacterial culture results, hematological and serum biochemical data, gallbladder biopsy results, as well as final diagnosis and complications after cholecystocentesis.ResultsInfectious agents were found in 30% of canine and 22% of feline bile aspirates, and inflammation in 5% and 19% respectively. Presence of microorganisms was more often detected on cytological examination (24%) than by culture (21%). The most common bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., isolated from 14.8% and 6.7% of cultured samples respectively. Only increased canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentration (cPLI) was significantly associated with the presence of microorganisms, inflammatory cells, or both in bile. Clinically relevant complications of cholecystocentesis occurred in 2 dogs. The majority of the animals undergoing cholecystocentesis suffered from hepatic, pancreatic, gastrointestinal disease, or a combination thereof.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCytological examination of bile is inexpensive and straightforward, and yields diagnostically relevant information that precedes and complements bacterial culture.

Cholangitis and Cholangiohepatitis in Dogs: A Descriptive Study of 54 Cases Based on Histopathologic Diagnosis (2004–2014)

“…A third study of bile cytology and culture in cats and dogs with suspected hepatobiliary disease found that in 30% of canine cases, infectious agents were involved. E. coli and Enterococcus species were most common, as in prior reports . Only 4 of 6 dogs had gallbladder histopathology confirming a diagnosis of cholecystitis, whereas 3 dogs had cholangiohepatitis.…”

“…Only 4 of 6 dogs had gallbladder histopathology confirming a diagnosis of cholecystitis, whereas 3 dogs had cholangiohepatitis. Concurrent diseases identified in dogs with biliary inflammation or infection included hepatopathies, pancreatic disease, and inflammatory bowel disease …”

Eubacterial fluorescence in situ hybridisation and histologic features in 25 dogs with gallbladder mucocele

“…Generally, identification of concurrent bacterial infection of the bile, GB mucosa or liver in cases of GBM is challenging. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystocentesis is a common and typically safe procedure for the collection of bile for the purposes of cytologic evaluation and culture (Uno et al 2009, Peters et al 2016, Schiborra et al 2017. However, biliary mucocele is considered by many to be a contraindication to cholecystocentesis as the potential for GB necrosis secondary to GBM makes rupture of the biliary tract possible (Nyland et al 2015).…”

Percutaneous ultrasound‐guided cholecystocentesis: complications and association of ultrasonographic findings with bile culture results

“…In contrast, Peters et al . () in their paper on the diagnostic utility of cytological assessment of bile aspirates describe that of 140 patients, complications occurred in 4 dogs and 1 cat. Only three of these occurred after PUC.…”

“…, Peters et al . ). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate complications in cases presented for PUC, and to describe and determine the incidence of encountered complications.…”