Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with leishmaniosis and skin cancer diagnosed by biopsy and blood
By Grevot, A et al.·Published in Parasite (Paris, France)·2005·Ecole nationale vé, France·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum in a FIV and FelV positive cat with a squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed with histological, serological and isoenzymatic methods.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was diagnosed with leishmaniosis, a serious infection caused by the Leishmania parasite, after showing skin ulcers and issues with its spleen and lymph nodes. The infection was confirmed through various blood tests and a skin biopsy that also revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment details are not specified, but diagnosing leishmaniosis is crucial, especially in areas where it is common, as it can affect cats as well as dogs. This case highlights the importance of considering leishmaniosis in cats with skin problems, particularly in endemic regions.
People also search for: cat skin ulcers treatment · FIV FeLV cat care · leishmaniosis in cats symptoms
Abstract
Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is an endemic zoonosis present in the Mediterranean area. Canidae (dog and fox) constitute the main reservoir hosts for the parasite, whilst wild rodents or the cat can be carriers of the protozoan and are considered as secondary potential reservoirs. This paper describes a case of disseminated feline leishmaniosis with cutaneous (ulcerative), visceral (spleen and lymph nodes) and blood involvement in a FIV-FelV positive cat. The microscopic identification of the Leishmania infection was initially made on a skin biopsy of the temporal area, where a squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed. The diagnosis of the disease was achieved by several serological techniques (ELISA, IFAT and Western-blot). The strain was obtained by blood culture, characterized by electrophoresis of isoenzymes and identified as Leishmania infantum zymodeme MON-1. Since the infection due to L. infantum is a zoonosis, the potential feline reservoir should be more investigated. Serological analysis by Western blot on domestic cats provides a useful tool. In veterinary practice, feline leishmaniosis should be systematically included in the differential diagnosis when compatible cutaneous lesions are present, especially in the endemic areas of canine leishmaniosis.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16218216/