Feline Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Sclerosing Fibroplasia

Abstract

A retrospective study of cases of a unique intramural inflammatory mass within the feline gastrointestinal tract was performed in order to describe and characterize the lesion. Twenty-five cases were identified from archival surgical and postmortem tissues. The lesion most often occurred as an ulcerated intramural mass at the pyloric sphincter (n = 12) or the ileocecocolic junction or colon (n = 9); the remaining cases were in the small intestine. Seven cases also had lymph node involvement. The lesions were characterized by eosinophilic inflammation, large reactive fibroblasts, and trabeculae of dense collagen. Intralesional bacteria were identified in 56% of the cases overall and all of the ileocecocolic junction and colon lesions. Fifty-eight percent of cats tested had peripheral eosinophilia. Cats treated with prednisone had a significantly longer survival time than those receiving other treatments. We propose that this is a unique fibroblastic response of the feline gastrointestinal tract to eosinophilic inflammation that in some cases is associated with bacteria. The lesion is often grossly and sometimes histologically mistaken for neoplasia.

A Case of Feline Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Sclerosing Fibroplasia Associated with Phycomycetes

“…The clinical and pathological features in the present case are consistent with those described in FGESF (Craig et al, 2009). Eosinophilia and involvement of regional lymph nodes are reported to occur frequently in FGESF, while involvement of the pancreas has been described at least in one case (Craig et al, 2009).…”

“…Eosinophilia and involvement of regional lymph nodes are reported to occur frequently in FGESF, while involvement of the pancreas has been described at least in one case (Craig et al, 2009). In the present case intralesional fungal organisms were identified.…”

“…The aetiology of this condition is unknown. Craig et al (2009) have suggested that it is caused by bacterial agents; however, no evidence of bacterial infection was found in almost 50% of cases reported in that study (Craig et al, 2009) or in one of the few cases described later (Suzuki et al, 2013). Recently, lesions resembling FGESF have been described in pumas (Puma conclor), where the lesions were associated with the presence of intestinal nematodes (Cyclospirura sp.…”

“…Keywords: feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia; phycomycetes; cat Feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (FGESF) is a recently described inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract of domestic cats (Craig et al, 2009). FGESF presents typically as an ulcerated intramural mass at the pyloric sphincter or ileocaecocolic junction.…”

“…Craig et al (2009) suggested that certain bacteria might trigger the development of an abnormal eosinophilic inflammatory response. Similar lesions found in the subcutis and abdomen of cats in Japan were proposed to be caused by meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp.…”