Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with protein loss and kidney scarring like human disease
By Sugahara, Go et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2015·School of Veterinary Medicine, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical and histopathological features resembling those of human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a cat with nonimmune-mediated glomerulonephropathy.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old male Japanese domestic cat was brought in for high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and kidney issues. Tests showed severe damage to the kidney's filtering units, resembling a condition seen in humans called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The cat was treated with medications that help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation, which provided some temporary relief. Unfortunately, despite treatment, the cat passed away due to worsening kidney failure about 32 months later.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nonimmune-mediated glomerulonephropathies are rarely reported in domestic animals with the exception of amyloidosis. Here we describe the pathological features and clinical course of a feline with protein-losing nonimmune-mediated glomerulonephropathy characterized by segmental glomerulosclerosis and severe podocyte injury. CASE PRESENTATION: A castrated male Japanese domestic cat aged 3 years and 8 months had hypertension, persistent proteinuria, and azotemia. Microscopic examination of a renal biopsy revealed many glomeruli with adhesion to the Bowman's capsule and segmental sclerosis. The most characteristic ultrastructural glomerular feature was severe podocyte foot process effacement. No electron-dense deposits were observed. Immunofluorescence revealed no immune deposits, but abnormal expression of nephrin and podocin was detected in the glomeruli. These findings resemble those of human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The cat temporarily responded to treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and prednisolone administration but died of progressive renal failure 32 months after biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The cat was diagnosed with nonimmune mediated glomerulonephropathy because of the absence of immune deposits and severe podocyte injury. To our knowledge, this is the first report of nonimmune-mediated glomerulonephropathy in a cat resembling human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26445234/