MORPHOLOGIC ALTERATIONS IN THE CILIA OF A CAT

Based upon ultrastructural findings and computed tomography, a presump tive diagnosis of feline primary ciliary dyskinesia was made in a 2.5- year-old cat. The cat demonstrated morphologic alterations in the ultr astructure of oviductal cilia. In the oviduct, axonemal abnormalities were detected in 132 (20%) of 660 cross-sectioned cilia. The main ultr astructural ciliary defects were a lack of central microtubules, trans position of peripheral doublets to the center of the axoneme, supernum erary microtubules, and morphologic abnormalities of peripheral double ts. Computed tomography of the chest was consistent with early lesions of bronchiectasis, suggesting chronic stagnation of respiratory secre tions, attributed to abnormal function of respiratory cilia. Specifica lly, the cranial branches of the cat's bronchi were wider and thicker than those of five healthy controls. Foci of pleural thickening and in terstitial enlargement were also observed.