Skin fragility syndrome in a cat with multicentric follicular lymphoma

Abstract

An 11-year-old, spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented for a right flank wound. On clinical examination, a single non-painful skin tear lesion with irregular edges was detected. During the examination, star-shaped cigarette paper-like skin lesions appeared spontaneously. An abdominal mass was also palpated. Feline skin fragility syndrome (FSFS) was suspected and a multicentric lymphoma was diagnosed by fine needle aspiration. The cat's condition declined and it died spontaneously. Post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoma. Neoplastic lymphocytes were not observed in the skin. Histological analysis of the skin was consistent with the morphological aspects of FSFS. A possible direct link between the two conditions remains a matter of speculation, but this case report provides the first description of FSFS associated with multicentric follicular lymphoma. Thus, multicentric follicular lymphoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cats presenting with FSFS.

Reversible and cachexia‐associated feline skin fragility syndrome in three cats

“…It is presumed that reduced collagen synthesis due to endogenous or exogenous glucocorticoids contributes to the aetiopathogenesis of this syndrome. Less commonly, FSFS has been described in cats affected by severe inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic diseases without glucocorticoids involvement . In these latter cases none of the cats recovered, contrary to this report.…”

“…Less commonly, FSFS has been described in cats affected by severe inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic diseases without glucocorticoids involvement. [10][11][12][13] In these latter cases none of the cats recovered, contrary to this report. Hepatic lipidosis, a condition frequently observed in FSFS, was excluded in cases 1 and 2 by abdominal ultrasound and in Case 3 because the history was not consistent with this disease.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9] It also has been reported in association with different diseases where the pathogenesis is not clear including hepatic lipidosis, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), cholangiohepatitis, cholangiocarcinoma and multicentric lymphoma. 4,[10][11][12][13] To the best of the authors' knowledge, histopathological descriptions postrecovery are not available due to the fact that cats usually don't recover or are euthanized shortly after diagnosis. There is one case of a reversible defect in a cat experimentally receiving phenytoin.…”

“…This syndrome is described in cats suffering from diseases with well‐known negative effects on collagen synthesis including hypercortisolism (spontaneous or iatrogenic) or excessive use of progestational drugs . It also has been reported in association with different diseases where the pathogenesis is not clear including hepatic lipidosis, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), cholangiohepatitis, cholangiocarcinoma and multicentric lymphoma . To the best of the authors’ knowledge, histopathological descriptions postrecovery are not available due to the fact that cats usually don't recover or are euthanized shortly after diagnosis.…”

Wounds in a 14‐year‐old cat with diabetes mellitus

“…Few reports have documented other comorbidities or predisposing conditions including feline infectious peritonitis, cholangiohepatitis, cholangiocarcinoma, lymphoma, histoplasmosis and hepatic lipidosis. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The pathogenesis of AFSFS is ultimately unknown. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), endogenous collagenases and elastases may be present at constitutive levels leading to collagen loss without replacement over time.…”