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PubMedDate not supplied

Reported cat bites in Dallas: characteristics of the cats, the victims, and the attack events.

Associated with the increased popularity of cats as pets in American households has been an increase in the number of cat bites reported to health departments. Bite reports from Dallas, TX, for 1985 were analyzed for different aspects of the cat bite event, including characteristics of the cats, the people bitten, the wounds, and the attack events. Cat bites and scratches constituted 25 percent of the 2,494 reported animal bites. Biting cats were typically stray females. People 21 to 35 years old were bitten in numbers disproportionate to their numbers in the Dallas population. Females were the victims of a majority of bites. Although wounds were typically described as "scratches" of a hand or finger, 80 percent of all victims sought some form of treatment for their wound. The highest proportion of bites occurred from May through August from 9 am through 12 noon; unowned cats accounted for most wounds. Cat bit events may be explained by frequency of contact, that is, women prefer cats as pets; activities that bring people and cats into contact; and reaching toward cats to feed or pet them. More specific information on the causes of cat bites will enable educational programs to be established so that the rate of cat bites can be decreased at the community level.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

[Construction of prokaryotic expression plasmid pET15b-PEP-1-CAT and expression and purification of PEP-1-CAT fusion protein].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the prokaryotic expression plasmid pET15b-PEP-1-CAT to obtain purified fusion protein of PEP-1-CAT. METHODS: Using pfu DNA polymerase, the full-length human catalase cDNA was amplified by PCR from pZeoSV2(+)-CAT plasmid, and the PCR product was added with "A" using Taq DNA polymerase. The purified product of CAT cDNA with the base A at its 3' end was ligated with pGEM-T Easy vector and transformed into DH5alpha. The correct recombinant was identified by PCR and Sal I/Bgl II digestion and named as pGEM-T-CAT. Two oligonucleotides were synthesized and annealed to generate a double-stranded oligonucleotide encoding the PEP-1 peptide, which was directly ligated into Nde I/Xho I-digested pET15b. The recombinant plasmid was identified by double-enzyme digestion and named as pET15b-PEP-1. pET15b-PEP-1 and pGEM-T-CAT were further digested by Xho I/BamH I and Sal I/Bgl II, respectively. The purified linear fragment of pET15b-PEP-1 and CAT cDNA fragment were ligated using two pairs of isocaudarners possessing different recognition sequences but producing compatible cohesive ends. The clone with the expected insert was selected using Xho I restriction analysis followed by sequence analysis. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) which was induced by IPTG. The recombinant protein possessed an N-terminal His-tag sequence which could be used to purify the target protein by affinity chromatography on a Ni(2+)-NTA-resin column. The fusion protein PEP-1-CAT was produced and confirmed by specific enzyme activity in vitro. RESULTS: Sequence analysis showed that the PEP-1 and the human CAT cDNA sequence of pET15b- PEP-1-CAT had identical sequence with designed PEP-1 peptide and human catalase cDNA sequence in GenBank (accession No. AY028632), respectively. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting confirmed successful expression and purification of PEP-1-CAT fusion protein with specific activity of 77.15 U/g. CONCLUSION: The prokaryotic expression plasmid pET15b-PEP-1-CAT has been constructed successfully, and the successful expression and purification of PEP-1-CAT provides a basis for prevention and therapy of various disorders related to oxidative stress.

Base Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of feline cataract: results of a cross-sectional study of 2000 normal animals, 50 cats with diabetes and one hundred cats following dehydrational crises.

OBJECTIVE: In this study 2000 normal cats, 50 cats with diabetes and 100 cats with a history of dehydrational crises were examined ophthalmoscopically to determine presence of cataract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cats examined were predominantly from veterinary hospital populations but also from re-homing facilities and breeding catteries. Prevalence of cataract was determined for different age groups (year cohorts). The age at which prevalence of cataract was 50% (C(50)) was determined indirectly from a fitted prevalence curve as previously described. C(50) was determined for animals of different genders and different breeds as well as for those with diabetes and histories of dehydrational episodes related to chronic renal failure, chronic vomiting or chronic diarrhea. RESULTS: The mean +/- standard deviation of C(50) for all normal cats in the study was 12.7 +/- 3.4 years. All cats over 17.5 years were affected by some degree of lens opacity. C(50) for cats with diabetes was 5.6 +/- 1.9 years (significantly different from normal cats at P < 0.0001). For cats with a history of dehydrational crises C(50) was 9.9 +/- 2.5 (difference from normal cats nearing statistical significance at P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The study yields novel findings regarding the prevalence of age-related cataract in normal cats together with cats with diabetes and history of previous dehydrational episodes in which prevalence of cataract is increased.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Oocyst shedding by cats fed isolated bradyzoites and comparison of infectivity of bradyzoites of the VEG strain Toxoplasma gondii to cats and mice.

Infectivity of bradyzoites of the VEG strain of Toxoplasma gondii was compared in cats and mice. For this, tissue cysts were separated from brains of infected mice using a Percoll gradient, and bradyzoites were released by incubation in acidic pepsin solution. After filtration through a 3-microm filter, bradyzoites were counted and diluted 10-fold in RPMI tissue culture medium. Dilutions estimated to have 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 bradyzoites were fed to cats and inoculated into mice, orally or subcutaneously (s.c.). Three experiments were performed. In experiment 1, 2 of 2 cats fed 1,000 bradyzoites, 1 of 2 cats fed 100 bradyzoites, 1 of 4 cats fed 10 bradyzoites, and 1 of 4 cats fed 1 bradyzoite shed millions of oocysts; 1,000 bradyzoites were infective to all 4 inoculated mice s.c. but not to 4 mice inoculated orally, and 100 bradyzoites were infective to 2 of 4 mice injected s.c. but not to 4 mice inoculated orally. All 16 mice (8 oral, 8 s.c.) injected with 1 or 10 bradyzoites were negative for T. gondii. In experiment 2, 1 of 4 cats fed 10 counted bradyzoites shed oocysts; the same inocula were not infective to 4 mice injected s.c. In experiment 3, 3 of 4 cats fed 1,000 bradyzoites shed oocysts and the inocula were infective to 10 of 10 mice s.c. and 4 of 10 mice orally; 4 of 4 cats fed 100 bradyzoites shed oocysts and the inocula were infective to 6 of 10 mice s.c. and 0 of 10 mice orally; 10 bradyzoites were not infective to cats and mice. Results indicate that bradyzoites are more infective to cats than to mice, and cats can shed millions of oocysts after ingesting just a few bradyzoites.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pulsed tissue Doppler imaging in normal cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Myocardial motion was quantified in normal cats (n = 25) and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (n = 23) using the pulsed tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) technique. A physiologic nonuniformity was documented in the myocardial motion of normal cats, which was detected as higher early diastolic velocities, acceleration, and deceleration in the interventricular septum compared with the left ventricular free wall (LVFW). HCM cats exhibited lower early diastolic velocities, acceleration, and deceleration and also prolonged isovolumic relaxation time compared with normal cats. These differences were detected mainly along the longitudinal axis of the heart. A cutoff value of E' in the LVFW along the longitudinal axis >7.2 cm/s discriminated normal from HCM cats with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 87%. The physiologic nonuniformity of myocardial motion during diastole was lost in affected cats. Systolic impairment (decreased late-systolic velocities in most segments along the longitudinal axis and decreased early systolic acceleration in both mitral annular sites) was evident in HCM cats irrespective of the presence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and congestive heart failure. Postsystolic thickening was recorded in the LVFW along the longitudinal axis only in affected cats (n = 6) and was another finding indicative of systolic impairment in the HCM of this species. This study identified both diastolic and systolic impairment in cats with HCM compared with normal cats. The study also documents the normal physiologic nonhomogeneity in myocardial motion in cats and the subsequent loss of this feature in the HCM diseased state.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Purified natural and recombinant Fel d 1 and cat albumin in in vitro diagnostics for cat allergy.

BACKGROUND: Current diagnostics and therapeutics for cat allergy are based on cat epithelial extracts originating from highly variable source materials. This gives rise to several problems: variability of allergen composition, contamination with house dust mite allergens, and potential transfer of pathogenic agents. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of replacing cat epithelial extracts with purified natural or recombinant allergens. METHODS: Sera (n = 509) were selected on the basis of a positive cat RAST result and tested in a RAST for IgE reactivity to purified Fel d 1, cat albumin (CA), or both. The analysis was performed with both natural and recombinant allergens. In addition, some sera were further analyzed by means of immunoblotting. A serum pool was used for cat RAST inhibition with purified natural and recombinant allergens as inhibitors. RESULTS: Natural and recombinant Fel d 1 caused very similar results: 94.1% and 96.1% positive test results, respectively. In general, the negative sera were low responders to cat extract. The addition of CA (16.7% positive sera) resulted in a decrease in the number of discrepencies between purified allergens and whole extract to 2.8%. Only for 2% of all sera, sensitization to cat was largely explained by IgE reactivity to CA. IgE reactivity to Fel d 1 accounts for 88% of the total IgE response to cat allergens, as was demonstrated by RAST, with Fel d 1 concentrations nearing saturation. Recombinant Fel d 1 performed equally well in the RAST analysis. Recombinant CA was succesfully expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris, and its immune reactivity closely resembled that of its natural counterpart. CONCLUSION: Natural and recombinant Fel d 1 and CA are good candidates for replacing ill-defined cat dander extracts in diagnostics for cat allergy. Although CA is not essential for the vast majority of cat-sensitized patients, some subjects are selectively sensitized to this serum protein.

Allergens↗

PubMed1999

Sensitization to cat without direct exposure to cats.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to pets, particularly cats, is one of the most important determinants of asthma and asthma-like symptoms in many parts of the world. Cat allergen is found in homes and public places without cats. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to investigate the prevalence of sensitization to cat on the island of Tristan da Cunha where cats have been eliminated since 1974. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 1993 on all residents on the island including allergy skin testing. Dust samples were collected from 20 homes on the island for measurement of house dust mite and cat allergens. RESULTS: Positive skin test reaction to cat was present in 57 (20.1%) of all islanders and in six (12.8%) of those born in or after 1975, 1 year after cats had been exterminated. Five of these six residents were born within 5 years of extermination of cats; two of these had attended school outside the island. A low level of cat allergen (Fel d 1) was found in only one out of 20 homes even though house dust mite allergens (Der p 1 or Der f 1) were found in all homes. CONCLUSION: Sensitization to cat allergen occurs on the island of Tristan da Cunha where there is no direct exposure to cats. This is due either to the persistence of the allergen after the removal of the animal or to the allergen being brought in on visitors' clothing.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Propofol significantly attenuates iNOS, CAT-2, and CAT-2B transcription in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Propofol significantly inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis in stimulated macrophages. L-arginine transport mediated by the isozymes of type-2 cationic amino acid transporter (including CAT-2 and CAT-2B) has been reported to play a crucial role in regulating iNOS activity. We sought to evaluate the effects of propofol on L-arginine transport and transcription of CAT-2 and CAT-2B. METHODS: Confluent murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce NO production, L-arginine transport and the transcriptions of iNOS, CAT-2, and CAT-2B. Propofol (25, 50, and 75 microM) was added to the cells 4 hours before, immediately after, or 4 hours after LPS administration. After reacting with LPS for 18 hours, cell cultures were harvested and assayed. RESULTS: Propofol administered 4 hours before LPS had no significant effects on NO production, L-arginine transport, and the transcriptions of iNOS and CAT-2. To our surprise, NO production and iNOS transcription were significantly enhanced by 25 microM propofol administered immediately after LPS. NO production and iNOS transcription were not affected by 50 microM propofol but significantly inhibited by 75 microM propofol administered immediately after LPS. CAT-2 transcription and L-arginine transport were significantly inhibited by 50 and 75 microM but not 25 microM propofol administered immediately after LPS. When administered 4 hours after LPS, 75 but not 25 and 50 microM propofol significantly inhibited NO production, L-arginine transport, and the transcription of iNOS and CAT-2. In addition, CAT-2B transcription was significantly inhibited by propofol that was administered 4 hours before, immediately after, or 4 hours after LPS. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol had significantly inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production, L-arginine transport, and the expressions of iNOS, CAT-2 and CAT-2B in stimulated murine macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, timing of administration also affected this regulatory effect of propofol.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Epidemiology of Sarcocystis neurona infections in domestic cats (Felis domesticus) and its association with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) case farms and feral cats from a mobile spay and neuter clinic.

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious neurologic disease in the horse most commonly caused by Sarcocystis neurona. The domestic cat (Felis domesticus) is an intermediate host for S. neurona. In the present study, nine farms, known to have prior clinically diagnosed cases of EPM and a resident cat population were identified and sampled accordingly. In addition to the farm cats sampled, samples were also collected from a mobile spay and neuter clinic. Overall, serum samples were collected in 2001 from 310 cats, with samples including barn, feral and inside/outside cats. Of these 310 samples, 35 were from nine horse farms. Horse serum samples were also collected and traps were set for opossums at each of the farms. The S. neurona direct agglutination test (SAT) was used for both the horse and cat serum samples (1:25 dilution). Fourteen of 35 (40%) cats sampled from horse farms had circulating S. neurona agglutinating antibodies. Twenty-seven of the 275 (10%) cats from the spay/neuter clinic also had detectable S. neurona antibodies. Overall, 115 of 123 (93%) horses tested positive for anti-S. neurona antibodies, with each farm having greater than a 75% exposure rate among sampled horses. Twenty-one opossums were trapped on seven of the nine farms. Eleven opossums had Sarcocystis sp. sporocysts, six of them were identified as S. neurona sporocysts based on bioassays in gamma-interferon gene knockout mice with each opossum representing a different farm. Demonstration of S. neurona agglutinating antibodies in domestic and feral cats corroborates previous research demonstrating feral cats to be naturally infected, and also suggests that cats can be frequently infected with S. neurona and serve as one of several natural intermediate hosts for S. neurona.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cytologic findings, and feline herpesvirus DNA and Chlamydophila felis antigen detection rates in normal cats and cats with conjunctival and corneal lesions.

Samples were collected from 36 cats with feline herpesvirus (FHV-1)-related ocular disease (conjunctivitis, epithelial or stromal keratitis, or corneal sequestration), and 17 cats without ocular changes. Corneoconjunctival swabs, scrapings and biopsies were tested in various combinations for presence of FHV-1 DNA using single round (sr) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR (nPCR). Additional swabs from the inferior conjunctival fornix were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Chlamydophila felis antigen. Cytologic evaluation was carried out on conjunctival (cats with conjunctivitis) and corneal (cats with keratitis) cytobrush preparations. FHV-1 DNA was detected by PCR in 14 (39%) cats with ocular disease and 1 (6%) of the control group. Agreement between srPCR and nPCR results was significant (P < 0.01). FHV-1 DNA was detected in 3/7 cats with conjunctivitis, 5/6 cats with epithelial keratitis, 3/11 cats with stromal keratitis, and 3/12 cats with corneal sequestration. There was a significant association (P = 0.0027) between viral presence and epithelial keratitis. However, no significant association was found between viral presence and conjunctivitis (P = 0.059), stromal keratitis (P = 0.15), or corneal sequestration (P = 0.18). With respect to FHV-1 DNA detection, intersample agreement was significant (P < 0.03). No sampling technique seemed more likely than another to harvest detectable viral DNA, except for cats with corneal sequestrum in which viral DNA was not detected using corneoconjunctival swabs. FHV-1 DNA was detected in 6/9 samples with intranuclear inclusion bodies and in 6/7 cats with eosinophils on cytologic examination. All samples tested negative for C. felis antigen.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation of urine protein/creatinine ratio and twenty-four-hour urinary protein excretion in normal cats and cats with surgically induced chronic renal failure.

Urine protein/creatinine (UP/C) ratios and 24-hour urinary protein excretion were compared in clinically normal cats and cats with surgically induced chronic renal failure (CRF). Mean 24-hour urinary protein excretion in 30 clinically normal cats fed a 28% protein diet (dry weight basis) was 4.93 mg/kg/24-hour (SD = 1.34) with a range of 2.99 to 8.88. Mean UP/C ratio in these cats was 0.134 (SD = 0.037) with a range of 0.073 to 0.239. Mean 24-hour urinary protein excretion in CRF cats was 10.49 mg/kg/24-hour (SD = 11.28) with a range of 2.16 to 62.93. Mean UP/C ratio in the CRF cats was 0.359 (SD = 0.374) with a range of 0.061 to 1.916. Linear regression showed high correlation (R2 = 0.973, P less than 0.001) between 24-hour urinary protein excretion and UP/C ratio in clinically normal cats and cats with surgically induced chronic renal failure. The regression equation for 24-hour urinary protein excretion versus UP/C ratio was: 24-hour urinary protein excretion = 29.39 (UP/C) + 0.18. Results of this study indicate that UP/C ratios are a valid estimate of 24-hour urinary protein excretion in clinically normal and CRF cats. Dietary protein intake significantly affected UP/C ratios in clinically normal cats and cats with surgically induced CRF. Therefore, the influence of dietary protein should be considered when interpreting UP/C ratios.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lipid composition of hepatic and adipose tissues from normal cats and from cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the lipid classes in hepatic and adipose tissues from cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis (IHL). Concentrations of triglyceride, phospholipid phosphorus, and free and total cholesterol were determined in lipid extracts of liver homogenates from 5 cats with IHL and 5 healthy control cats. Total fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue was also compared. Triglyceride accounted for 34% of liver by weight in cats with IHL (338 +/- 38 mg/g wet liver) versus 1% in control cats (9.9 +/- 1.0 mg/g wet liver, P < .001). The mass of cholesterol ester was significantly higher in triglyceride-free (TG-free) liver from cats with IHL (741 +/- 340 micrograms/g TG-free wet liver) compared to healthy cats (31 +/- 11 micrograms/g TG-free wet liver, P < .05). Total fatty acid composition of hepatic tissue in the 2 groups differed; palmitate was higher (19.5 +/- 1.1% of total fatty acids in cats with IHL versus 9.2 +/- 2.7% in controls, P < .05), stearate was lower (8.5 +/- 0.8% versus 16.8 +/- 1.1%, P < .05), oleate was higher (41.2 +/- 1.6% versus 31.1 +/- 1.8%, P < .05), and arachidonate was lower (1.2 +/- 0.2% versus 6.0 +/- 0.9%, P < .05). The total fatty acid composition of adipose tissue also differed between the 2 groups; palmitate was higher (26.2 +/- 1.2% in cats with IHL versus 21.3 +/- 0.6% in controls, P < .05), total monounsaturated fatty acids were higher (48.4 +/- 1.0% versus 45.0 +/- 0.8%, P < .05), linolenate was lower (13.3 +/- 1.6% versus 17.5 +/- 0.9%, P < .05), total (n-6) fatty acids were lower (13.8 +/- 1.38% versus 18.4 +/- 0.83%, P < .05), linolenate was lower (0.2 +/- 0.04% versus 0.7 +/- 0.06%, P < .06), and total (n-3) fatty acids were lower (0.3 +/- 0.02% versus 1.3 +/- 0.32%, P < .05). The fatty acid composition of both liver and adipose tissue was similar for stearate, oleate, linoleate, and linolenate in cats with IHL. These results support the hypothesis that the origin of hepatic triglyceride in cats with IHL is the mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1997

Renal clearance of endogenous creatinine, urea, sodium, and potassium in normal cats and cats with chronic renal failure.

The renal clearance test was carried out in 6 normal male cats and 12 male cats with chronic renal failure. The average concentrations of creatinine (Cr), urea, sodium (Na), and potassium (K) in the serum of the cats with chronic renal failure were 5.09, 136.7 (mg/100 ml), 143.9 and 3.71 (mEq/l) respectively, and the specific gravity of urine was 1.009. The renal clearances of Cr, urea, Na, and K (ml/min/kg of body weight) were 2.639 +/- 0.217, 1.034 +/- 0.110, 0.024 +/- 0.007 and 0.266 +/- 0.028, respectively in normal cats, and were 0.789 +/- 0.407, 0.358 +/- 0.211, 0.095 +/- 0.084 and 0.872 +/- 0.204 in cats with chronic renal failure. Clearance of Cr and urea was significantly lower in cats with chronic renal failure than in normal cats, while the values of Na and K were significantly higher in cats with chronic renal failure. The glomerular filtration of Cr and urea and the urinary excretion of these 4 substances were significantly higher in cats with chronic renal failure. The tubular reabsorption rates of Na and K were significantly lower in cats with chronic renal failure compared to those in normal cats, but there was no significant difference in urea and creatinine.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Selenium status of cats in four regions of the world and comparison with reported incidence of hyperthyroidism in cats in those regions.

OBJECTIVE: To assess selenium (Se) status of cats in 4 regions of the world and to compare results for Se status with reported incidence of hyperthyroidism in cats in those regions. ANIMALS: 50 cats (30 from 2 regions with an allegedly high incidence of hyperthyroidism and 20 from 2 regions in which the disease is less commonly reported). PROCEDURE: Hematologic samples (heparinized whole blood, plasma, and RBC fractions) were obtained from 43 healthy euthyroid cats and 7 hyperthyroid cats. Plasma concentration of Se and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in whole blood and plasma were determined. RESULTS: Plasma concentration of Se and GPX activity in whole blood or plasma did not differ significantly among cats from the 4 regions. However, cats had a plasma concentration of Se that was approximately 5 times the concentration reported in rats and humans. The GPX activity in whole blood or plasma in cats generally was higher than values reported in rats or humans. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cats have higher Se concentrations in plasma, compared with values for other species. However, Se status alone does not appear to affect the incidence of hyperthyroidism in cats. High Se concentrations may have implications for health of cats if such concentrations are influenced by the amount of that micronutrient included in diets.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Measurement of serum concentrations of free thyroxine, total thyroxine, and total triiodothyronine in cats with hyperthyroidism and cats with nonthyroidal disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of measuring serum free thyroxine (T4) concentration as a diagnostic test for hyperthyroidism in cats, and to determine the influence of nonthyroidal disease on free T4 concentration in cats without hyperthyroidism. DESIGN: Prospective case series. ANIMALS: 917 cats with untreated hyperthyroidism, 221 cats with nonthyroidal disease, and 172 clinically normal cats. PROCEDURE: Serum free T4, total T4, and total triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were measured in cats with untreated hyperthyroidism and cats with nonthyroidal disease. Serum total T4 and T3 concentrations were determined by use of radioimmunoassay, and free T4 concentration was measured by use of direct equilibrium dialysis. Reference ranges for hormone concentrations were established on the basis of results from the 172 clinically normal cats. RESULTS: Sensitivity of serum free T4 concentration as a diagnostic test for hyperthyroidism was significantly higher than the test sensitivity of either total T4 or T3 concentration. Of the 221 cats with nonthyroidal disease, 14 had a high free T4 concentration (ie, false-positive result). Therefore, calculated specificity of measuring serum free T4 concentration as a diagnostic test for hyperthyroidism was significantly lower than test specificity of measuring either the total T4 or T3 concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that determination of free T4 concentration is useful in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, especially in cats in which hyperthyroidism is suspected but total T4 and T3 concentrations are within reference ranges. However, because some cats with nonthyroidal disease have high serum free T4 concentrations, hyperthyroidism should not be diagnosed solely on the finding of high free T4 concentration.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

A survey of helminths in domestic cats in the Pretoria area of Transvaal, Republic of South Africa. Part 1: The prevalence and comparison of burdens of helminths in adult and juvenile cats.

The helminths found in 1,502 necropsied cats were examined. The findings indicated that 65% of the cats were infested. The most prevalent helminths encountered were Ancylostoma tubaeforme (41%), Ancylostoma braziliense (25%), Dipylidium caninum (23%), Toxocara cati (11%), Taenia taeniaeformis (7.7%), Ancylostoma caninum (3.3%), Joyeuxiella fuhrmanni (2.5%), Ancylostoma ceylanicum (1.4%), and Physaloptera praeputialis (1.3%). The following helminths were recorded in fewer than 1% of the cats: Centrorhynchus spp., Pterygodermatites spp., Toxocara canis, Aleurostrongylus abstrusus and Vogeloides spp., This is the first record of the lungworms, A. abstrusus and Vogeloides spp. in cats in the Republic of South Africa. The helminths in adult and juvenile cats are compared. Of the cestodes, Joyeuxiella fuhrmanni (4%) and Taenia taeniaeformis (12%) are more prevalent in adult cats. Dipylidium caninum is marginally more common in adults (24%), and is the most common helminth in juvenile cats, being present in 21% of cases. More adult cats have Ancylostoma tubaeforme (58%), Ancylostoma braziliense (36%), Ancylostoma ceylanicum (2.4%) and Physaloptera praeputialis (1.9%) than do juvenile cats. However, juvenile cats were found to harbour more Toxocara cati (41%), Toxocara canis (0.5%) and Ancylostoma caninum (5.2%). Juvenile cats harbour appreciable numbers of both cestodes and nematodes, thus any treatment should be aimed at the elimination of both, with a broad spectrum anthelmintic.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1989

Cat-301 antibody selectively labels neurons in the Y-innervated laminae of the cat superior colliculus.

Cat-301 is a monoclonal antibody which recognizes a cell surface associated antigen of selected neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). In the visual system, cat-301 selectively labels Y-like cells in several visual structures, including portions of the lateral geniculate nucleus complex and visual cortex. The cat superior colliculus (SC) also receives Y input and contains cells driven by Y input which are selectively distributed in the deep superficial gray and deeper laminae. If cat-301 is selective to the Y-cell system in SC, labeled cells should be restricted to those laminae. To test this hypothesis, we have examined quantitatively the laminar distribution, percentage, size, and morphology of cells in SC labeled by the cat-301 antibody. Cat-301 labeled a variety of cells in the cat SC. Labeled cells were found within the deep portion of the superficial gray layer (6.6%), optic layer (27.6%), intermediate gray layer (26.9%), and the deep gray and white layers (38.5%). By contrast, only 2 of 667 labeled cells (0.3%) were found within that part of the upper superficial gray layer innervated exclusively by W input and thought to contain only W-driven cells. When considered as a percentage of the total cell population, cat-301 labeled cells represented less than 3% of cells in the superficial gray layer and approximately 15% in the deeper layers. Neurons labeled by cat-301 were all of medium to large size (mean average diameter = 33.3 microns; range = 15-84 microns) and included vertical fusiform and stellate cells in the upper layers and the very large neurons found in the intermediate gray and deeper layers. These results provide further evidence that the cat-301 antibody selectively recognizes the Y channel of the cat visual system.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Air filtration units in homes with cats: can they reduce personal exposure to cat allergen?

BACKGROUND: Domestic air filtration units have previously been shown to cause a dramatic fall in airborne pet allergen levels in homes with pets. Clinical trials of air filtration units, however, have failed to reveal a significant beneficial effect. Personal pet allergen exposure during air filtration unit use has never been measured. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of air filtration on inhaled cat allergen exposure in homes with cats. METHODS: Nasal air samplers were worn to measure personal cat allergen exposure. The study was carried out in five homes with cats on 4 separate days examining four experimental conditions (cat absent or present, air filtration off or on). The two operators collected four baseline samples and two 15-min samples/h over three consecutive hours. Cat allergen-bearing particles were detected by immunoblotting and allergen concentrations measured by amplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the quantity of the inhaled Fel d 1 when the air cleaner was used with the cat in the room. Fel d 1 halo counts (detransformed means) were 29.3 at baseline, 11.8 after 1 h, 10.0 after 2 h and 14.1 after 3 h, with no change on control days (P = 1.00). With the cat elsewhere in the house, a marginal, but statistically significant reduction was observed only after 3 h with the use of air cleaner (Fel d 1 halo count: baseline 12.4; 3 h 5.5; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The use of air filtration units appears to result in a much smaller reduction of inhaled cat allergen exposure than suggested by previous studies using standard air samplers. Cat removal remains the best advice to cat-allergic patients who experience symptoms upon exposure.

Air Conditioning↗