Cryptosporidium infection in cats with FeLV or FIV

de Oliveira Lemos F, Almosny NP, Soares AMB, et al. Cryptosporidium species screening using Kinyoun technique in domestic cats with diarrhea. J Feline Med Surg 2012;14:113-117.

C. parvum oocysts

Cryptosporidium is an obligate coccidian that can cause diarrhea. Transmission is primarily through ingestion of contaminated water, though contaminated food and direct contact with animals and contaminated surfaces also can be source of infection. In immune competent animals, infection can be self-limiting. Infection can become severe and chronic in immune compromised patients. Generally, C. felis is a subclinical infection in cats but infection by C. parvum may lead to diarrhea. A common cause of immune suppression in cats is retrovirus infection. This study looked at whether cats infected by a retrovirus are more susceptible to Cryptosporidium infection and whether they exhibit more severe clinical signs. Blood and fecal samples were collected from 60 cats and evaluated for Cryptosporidium and for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody by ELISA testing. Five cats were found to be shedding oocysts. Of these five cats, four were FeLV positive and one was both FeLV and FIV negative. The cats that were FeLV positive had more severe and chronic diarrhea with a larger number of oocysts, while the FeLV/FIV negative cat had a self-limiting diarrhea. [VT]

See also: Scorza V, Tangtrongsup S. Update on the diagnosis and management of Cryptosporidium spp infections in dogs and cats. Top Companion Anim Med 2010;25:163-169.

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de Oliveira Lemos F, Almosny NP, Soares AMB, et al. Cryptosporidium species screening using Kinyoun technique in domestic cats with diarrhea. J Feline Med Surg 2012;14:113-117.

C. parvum oocysts

Cryptosporidium is an obligate coccidian that can cause diarrhea. Transmission is primarily through ingestion of contaminated water, though contaminated food and direct contact with animals and contaminated surfaces also can be source of infection. In immune competent animals, infection can be self-limiting. Infection can become severe and chronic in immune compromised patients. Generally, C. felis is a subclinical infection in cats but infection by C. parvum may lead to diarrhea. A common cause of immune suppression in cats is retrovirus infection. This study looked at whether cats infected by a retrovirus are more susceptible to Cryptosporidium infection and whether they exhibit more severe clinical signs. Blood and fecal samples were collected from 60 cats and evaluated for Cryptosporidium and for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody by ELISA testing. Five cats were found to be shedding oocysts. Of these five cats, four were FeLV positive and one was both FeLV and FIV negative. The cats that were FeLV positive had more severe and chronic diarrhea with a larger number of oocysts, while the FeLV/FIV negative cat had a self-limiting diarrhea. [VT]

See also: Scorza V, Tangtrongsup S. Update on the diagnosis and management of Cryptosporidium spp infections in dogs and cats. Top Companion Anim Med 2010;25:163-169.

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Improving treatment of cancer in cats

Each year, the Winn Feline Foundation receives proposals from veterinary researchers around the world who are interested in improving feline health. To date, Winn’s cumulative total in feline health research funding exceeds $4 million. Forty-four proposals were submitted by researchers seeking funding in this review cycle. This year, our team of veterinary consultants helped Winn select 10 projects for funding, for a total of $174,018. Here is one of those projects:

W12-005
Immunohistochemical quantification of the transcobalamin II protein (TCII) and receptor (TCII-R) in naturally occurring feline tumors
Investigators: Annette M. Sysel, Joseph A. Bauer; Bauer Research Foundation, Akron OH

Cancer affects millions of cats annually and may account for 1/3 of all disease-related feline deaths. There are only 2 FDA-approved drugs available for the treatment of cancer in animals, but both drugs are licensed exclusively for use in dogs. Treatment of cancer in cats is largely extrapolated from treatments used in human and canine medicine. A new and interesting approach to cancer therapy is based on the fact that cancer cells rely on vitamin B12 (cobalamin) to grow and they produce transport proteins to scavenge cobalamin. An anti-tumor drug called nitrosylcobalamin (NO-Cbl) uses cobalamin to target cancer cells via the transcobalamin II (TCII) transport protein and receptors. The TCII protein and receptors have been evaluated in human and canine tumors, but not yet in cats. In this project, the investigators will quantify the TCII protein and receptor in feline tumors with the goal of identifying tumors that may be susceptible to treatment with drugs such as No-Cbl.

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Each year, the Winn Feline Foundation receives proposals from veterinary researchers around the world who are interested in improving feline health. To date, Winn’s cumulative total in feline health research funding exceeds $4 million. Forty-four proposals were submitted by researchers seeking funding in this review cycle. This year, our team of veterinary consultants helped Winn select 10 projects for funding, for a total of $174,018. Here is one of those projects:

W12-005
Immunohistochemical quantification of the transcobalamin II protein (TCII) and receptor (TCII-R) in naturally occurring feline tumors
Investigators: Annette M. Sysel, Joseph A. Bauer; Bauer Research Foundation, Akron OH

Cancer affects millions of cats annually and may account for 1/3 of all disease-related feline deaths. There are only 2 FDA-approved drugs available for the treatment of cancer in animals, but both drugs are licensed exclusively for use in dogs. Treatment of cancer in cats is largely extrapolated from treatments used in human and canine medicine. A new and interesting approach to cancer therapy is based on the fact that cancer cells rely on vitamin B12 (cobalamin) to grow and they produce transport proteins to scavenge cobalamin. An anti-tumor drug called nitrosylcobalamin (NO-Cbl) uses cobalamin to target cancer cells via the transcobalamin II (TCII) transport protein and receptors. The TCII protein and receptors have been evaluated in human and canine tumors, but not yet in cats. In this project, the investigators will quantify the TCII protein and receptor in feline tumors with the goal of identifying tumors that may be susceptible to treatment with drugs such as No-Cbl.

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Read the Cat Health News Weekly
Join us on Google+

Read More