Primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in a cat

J Small Anim Pract. 1999 Mar;40(3):127-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1999.tb03054.x.

Abstract

A young female Somali cat was referred for investigation of chronic intermittent haematuria. Petechiae were found on the ears and ventral abdomen and further investigation revealed severe thrombocytopenia and megakaryocyte hyperplasia. Direct marrow immunohistochemistry detected anti-megakaryocyte autoantibody (Immunoglobulin G), but extensive investigation failed to find secondary causes of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, so a diagnosis of primary (autoimmune) immune-mediated thrombocytopenia was concluded. Thrombocytopenia persisted despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapy (prednisolone, azathioprine and vincristine) but resolved after oral prednisolone was replaced with dexamethasone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy
  • Autoimmune Diseases / veterinary*
  • Bone Marrow / immunology
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Cat Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cat Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cat Diseases / etiology
  • Cats
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hematuria / drug therapy
  • Hematuria / etiology
  • Hematuria / veterinary*
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Megakaryocytes / immunology
  • Thrombocytopenia / diagnosis
  • Thrombocytopenia / drug therapy
  • Thrombocytopenia / veterinary*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunosuppressive Agents