ABSTRACT
Inflammation of the bile ducts is common in cats. This review article reports on what is currently known about the various types of cholangitis (i.e., cholangitis caused by liver flukes, neutrophilic cholangitis, and lymphocytic cholangitis). Treatment is available for cholangitis caused by liver flukes and for neutrophilic cholangitis, and the prognosis is good. However, the cause of lymphocytic cholangitis is not known and there is currently no evidence-based therapy. Several causes are mentioned in the literature, but more research is needed in order to establish the cause of this disease and to develop an appropriate therapy.
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases/diagnosis , Cat Diseases/therapy , Cholangitis/veterinary , Animals , Cats , Cholangitis/diagnosis , Cholangitis/therapy , Chronic Disease , Female , Liver/parasitology , Liver/pathology , Male , PrognosisABSTRACT
A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the effect of treatment with prednisolone or ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on the survival times of 26 cats with lymphocytic cholangitis, and to determine prognostic factors. Most affected cats were males (76.9%, P=0.006) and a breed predisposition for the Norwegian Forest Cat was demonstrated (P=0.021). Clinical signs included weight loss, icterus, anorexia, vomiting, and listlessness. Blood analyses revealed elevated hepatic enzymes, bile acids and hypergammaglobulinaemia. Breed, sex, and therapeutic regimen were significantly associated with survival times. Prednisolone treatment resulted in a statistically longer survival time compared to UDCA.
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases/drug therapy , Cholangitis/veterinary , Prednisolone/therapeutic use , Ursodeoxycholic Acid/therapeutic use , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Cats , Cholagogues and Choleretics/therapeutic use , Cholangitis/drug therapy , Cholangitis/pathology , Drug Therapy, Combination , Male , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
In this study, we have successfully used molecular methods based on the amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene on feline bile samples to show that bile of cats with LC is not sterile. This is probably due to the fact that the inflammatory process in the biliary tree causes dilatations. As a result, bacteria can easily migrate from the intestines via the common bile duct. The diversity of species identified and the presence of Helicobacter spp. DNA in both patients and controls suggests that bacteriobilia is secondary to the disease and is not the cause of LC.