Clinicopathologic Features and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in 24 Cats With Histopathologically Confirmed Neurologic Feline Infectious Peritonitis

Abstract

BackgroundFeline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most common infectious central nervous system (CNS) disease in the cat and is invariably fatal. Improved means of antemortem diagnosis is required to facilitate clinical decision making. Information regarding the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of neurologic FIP currently is limited, resulting in the need for better descriptions to optimize its use as a diagnostic tool.ObjectiveTo describe the clinicopathologic features and MRI findings in cases of confirmed neurologic FIP.AnimalsTwenty‐four client‐owned cats with histopathologic confirmation of neurologic FIP.MethodsArchived records from 5 institutions were retrospectively reviewed to identify cases with confirmed neurologic FIP that had undergone antemortem MRI of the CNS. Signalment, clinicopathologic, MRI, and histopathologic findings were evaluated.ResultsThree distinct clinical syndromes were identified: T3‐L3 myelopathy (3), central vestibular syndrome (7), and multifocal CNS disease (14). Magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities were detected in all cases, including meningeal contrast enhancement (22), ependymal contrast enhancement (20), ventriculomegaly (20), syringomyelia (17), and foramen magnum herniation (14). Cerebrospinal fluid was analysed in 11 cases; all demonstrated a marked increase in total protein concentration and total nucleated cell count. All 24 cats were euthanized with a median survival time of 14 days (range, 2–115) from onset of clinical signs. Histopathologic analysis identified perivascular pyogranulomatous infiltrates, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates, or both affecting the leptomeninges (16), choroid plexuses (16), and periventricular parenchyma (13).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceMagnetic resonance imaging is a sensitive means of detecting neurologic FIP, particularly in combination with a compatible signalment, clinical presentation, and CSF analysis.

Subarachnoid diverticulum associated with feline infectious peritonitis in a Siberian cat

“… 13 Around 40% of cats with the non-effusive (ie, ‘dry’) form of FIP have neurological signs, although neurological signs also occur in around 5–10% of cats with effusive (ie, ‘wet’) FIP. 11 , 13 , 14 No evidence of effusions were found in this case. Management is aimed at supportive palliative care, with corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications administered in an attempt to slow disease progression.…”

“… 7 The presence of neurological signs has also been associated with poor response to, or relapse following, initial trial doses of recently described antiviral drugs GC376 and GS-441524, which have been successful in the management of effusive FIP. 9 , 10 A median survival onset of clinical signs of 14 days (range 2–115 days) in 24 cats with neurological FIP has been reported in one study, 11 comparable to that of the effusive form of the disease. 12 Neurological FIP describes a subset of cats that present with predominantly neurological signs.…”

Pathomorphology of cats with myocardial infectious peritonitis

“…У доступній літературі відносно мало публікації щодо висвітлення патологоанатомічних змін внутрішніх органів за FIP, та ще менше щодо гістологічних та гістохімічних змін в органах і тканинах. Що стосується патоморфології серця, то в деяких публікаціях згадується, що у хворих котів деколи може розвиватись гідроперикард або серозний перикардит, а за мікроструктурних змін в органі повідомлення поодинокі та недостатньо описані (Kipar et al, 2005;Fischer et al, 2012;Han et al, 2014;Oliverira et al, 2014;Rolim et al, 2016;Galatjuk et al, 2016;Crawford et al, 2017;Günther et al, 2018;Ernandes et al, 2019). Зважаючи на це, актуальним є з'ясування морфо-гістохімічних змін в органах і тканинах, зокрема у серці хворих на інфекційний перитоніт котів, оскільки це допоможе зрозуміти причини розвитку клінічних симптомів та внесе деякі доповнення в патоморфологію.…”

Pathomorphology of peripheral organs of immunogenesis in cats with spontaneous feline infectious peritonitis

“…Despite the fact that pathogenesis is complicated and not fully clear, the pathogen is FIP (FIPV) virus, monocytic / macrophago-tropic mutated feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), which is widely distributed among cats all over the world (Crawford et al, 2017, Pedersen, 2014a. Macrophages with the virus cause a significant inflammatory reaction, leading to multisystemic pyogranulomatous vasculitis.…”

“…Macrophages with the virus cause a significant inflammatory reaction, leading to multisystemic pyogranulomatous vasculitis. Over time, the histiocytic population is replaced by a lymphoplasmatic population (Crawford et al, 2017).…”