Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Best sample types to diagnose acute Cytauxzoon felis in cats
By Sleznikow, Casey R et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2022·University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of various sample sources for the cytologic diagnosis of Cytauxzoon felis.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 38 cats suspected of having a serious disease called Cytauxzoon felis were tested to see which sample types (blood, lymph node, or spleen) were best for diagnosis. The results showed that the most effective samples came from the spleen, where the disease-causing organisms were found in 77% of cases. In comparison, only 33% were found in blood samples and 56% in lymph node samples. This means that if a vet can't confirm the disease with a blood test, they should consider taking a sample from the spleen for a more accurate diagnosis.
People also search for: cat Cytauxzoon felis symptoms · spleen biopsy cat · how to diagnose Cytauxzoon felis in cats
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cytauxzoon felis is a life-threatening protozoan disease of cats. Identification of schizont-laden macrophages is a point-of-care diagnostic test for acute cytauxzoonosis. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The primary objective determined cytologic agreement between sample types to diagnose acute cytauxzoonosis. The secondary objective evaluated novices' ability to identify cytauxzoon organisms in blood films and tissue aspirates. ANIMALS: Thirty-eight cats with suspected acute cytauxzoonosis and 5 controls examined postmortem. METHODS: Cases were prospectively submitted and collected. Blood film, lymph node, and splenic aspirates were blindly reviewed for sample quality, presence of schizont-laden macrophages, and agreement between sample types. A subset of cases and controls were evaluated by 12 blinded novice observers to determine sensitivity and specificity for identifying organisms in various sample types. RESULTS: Acute cytauxzoonosis diagnosis was made on at least 1 sample type in 28/38 cats. Schizont-laden macrophages were seen on 33% (10/30) of blood films, 56% (19/34) lymph node aspirates, 77% (26/34) splenic aspirates. Schizont-laden macrophages were more likely seen on splenic than lymph node aspirates (McNemar's, P = .03) or blood film (McNemar's, P = <.001). Novice observers were more likely to agree with experts when identifying schizont-laden macrophages in splenic aspirates (sensitivity = 77.1%, specificity = 94.4%) versus lymph node aspirates (sensitivity = 52.8%, specificity = 96.4%) or blood films (sensitivity = 41.7%, specificity = 96.9%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Schizont-laden macrophages are most frequently identified in spleen, even by novice observers. If the diagnosis of acute cytauxzoonosis cannot be confirmed via blood film, then splenic, followed by peripheral lymph node aspirates can be considered.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34854132/