Polycystic kidney and liver disease in cats

Abstract

This paper reviews 27 cases of polycystic disease of the kidneys and/or liver in cats. The multiple cysts in the kidneys were rounded in all but one case, as described in adult polycystic kidney disease in humans. In 68% of the cats presented with polycystic kidneys, there were also cystic changes of the liver (uni-or multilocular cysts and/or congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF)). In 1 cat polycystic changes of kidneys and liver were accompanied by cysts in the pancreas. In 5 cases there was severe pancreas fibrosis. Twenty-one of the 27 cats were Persian or Persian-crossbred.

Polycystic Liver Disease in Senile Chamois (Rupicaprae rupicaprae)

“…The adult type is a rare congenital disease that in the majority of cases occurs in combination with cysts in the kidney and, rarely, in other organs. Fibrosis is typical for this congenital liver disease in humans (Sherlock and Dooley, 2001), which also is seen in cats and dogs (Van den Ingh and Rothuizen, 1985;Bosje et al, 1998). Except for one case in which we found tissue fibrosis surrounding a liver cyst, none of the liver specimens had fibrotic indurations in adjacent liver parenchyma.…”

“…As in humans, most cystic hepatic disorders are regarded as a congenital malformation (Krotec et al, 1996;McAloose et al, 1998;Straub et al, 2003) and cystic formations can also be present in the kidneys and pancreas (McKenna and Carpenter, 1980;Krotec et al, 1996;Bosje et al, 1998). In most cases liver cysts do not communicate with the intrahepatic biliary duct system and are filled with water and electrolytes without containing bile acid and bilirubin (Van den Ingh and Rothuizen, 1985).…”

Polycystic Kidney Disease in Adult Brazilian Agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina)

“…7,18,21,24,30 In contrast to other reports on PKD in adult animal species and humans, none of the agoutis revealed cysts in any other organ system, including, for example, intrahepatic bile ducts or the ducts of the exocrine pancreas. 4,7,9,18 Accumulations of erythrocytes in Bowman's capsules and cysts are also described in PKD of humans and cats. 7,20 Mild to moderate epithelial iron storage in all agoutis might be a result of hemoglobin reabsorption, which is also a component of human PKD.…”

“…20,24 These changes are not described in chronic interstitial nephritis, whereas secondary mononuclear interstitial infiltration is also a common pathologic finding in PKD. 4,7,11,18,24 Interstitial fibrosis and thickened Bowman's capsules are also described in autosomal dominant PKD in adult Persian cats, Bull Terriers, and humans. 7,18,21,24,30 In contrast to other reports on PKD in adult animal species and humans, none of the agoutis revealed cysts in any other organ system, including, for example, intrahepatic bile ducts or the ducts of the exocrine pancreas.…”

“…9,18,31 PKD in adult animals resembling the autosomal dominant inheritance is described in cats (most of them are Persian or Persian-cross cats) 4,7 and likely in Bull Terriers. 25 Similar to the human form, a mutation on the PKD1 gene causes the majority of adult PKD in cats 13,19 whereas autosomal-dominant PKD in Bull Terriers is likely not associated with a mutation in the canine PKD1 or PKD2 genes.…”