title: Effects of age and allergen-induced airway inflammation in cats: radiographic and cytologic correlation.
abstract: Thoracic radiography is an important diagnostic tool for feline respiratory medicine. The aim of this study was (1) to assess age-related changes of thoracic radiographic views in healthy young cats and (2) to test if experimentally-induced bronchial inflammation by inhaling Ascaris suum (AS) allergens leads to radiographic changes after single or repeated exposures. Healthy cats (n=15-30) aged between 6 and 30 months were evaluated. Eight healthy cats and eight AS-sensitised cats, respectively, inhaled sterile saline or allergen. Radiographs were taken 24h before, and 6, 24 and 48 h after the challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed after the last radiographic examination. AS-sensitised cats underwent three further allergen challenges at 3-month intervals. The radiographic evaluation was based on a scoring system considering bronchial, interstitial and alveolar patterns. A significant age-related increase in interstitial and total radiographic score was detected in healthy cats older than 18 months and in healthy cats older than 24 months. Whilst saline inhalation did not affect radiographic scores, a single AS challenge induced significant changes of all scores within 6-24h. A significant positive correlation between radiographic scores and BAL neutrophils and eosinophils was found. Repeated AS challenges did not induce irreversible changes in radiographic scores.
authors.affiliation: Department of Functional Sciences B41, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kirschvink
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kersnak
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leemans
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Delvaux
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clercx
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Snaps
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gustin
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology; D017165:Ascaris suum / Q000276:immunology; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000947:Antigens, Helminth