Desquamative form of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis in a cat

Bronchopulmonary disease is not uncommon in cats, many cases falling into t he categories of chronic bronchitis and the "feline asthma syndrome''. We r eport a case of chronic bronchopulmonary disease in an adult cat, which was initially diagnosed as chronic bronchitis. Failure to respond to appropria te therapy led to euthanasia. At necropsy, the lungs exhibited multifocal a reas of consolidation, especially at the periphery of the diaphragmatic lob es. Histopathological examination revealed a striking variability of lesion s, with interstitial fibrosis and intra-alveolar accumulations of macrophag es in addition to alveolar epithelialization and smooth muscle hyperplasia. These changes were consistent with those described for the desquamative fo rm of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis in human beings. (C) 2000 Harcourt P ublishers Ltd.