Isolated lepromatous conjunctivo-corneal granuloma in a cat from Italy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of a conjunctivo-corneal mass in a cat associated with acid-fast bacilli.


METHODS
A 2-year-old female black European Short-Hair cat, living outdoors in a suburban environment in Italy, was referred for evaluation of a nodular, vascularized mass of 2 weeks duration. The mass involved the dorsal bulbar conjunctiva at the temporal canthus of OS and invaded the sclera and cornea. Routine ophthalmic and systemic examination, serologic testing, cytology and histology of the mass were performed. Mycobacterium specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of variable regions 1, 2 and 3 of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was also performed.


RESULTS
Neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages and giant cells with intracytoplasmic acid-fast bacilli were seen on cytological examination. The histological examination confirmed the presence of a granulomatous lesion with acid-fast bacilli within macrophages. Bacteriological culture of the material from the lesion was negative for Mycobacterium spp. Mycobacterium 16S rRNA gene specific PCR was positive. A diagnosis of feline leprosy was made. The owners refused any treatment, and 1 year later the lesion was still present.


CONCLUSIONS
Veterinary ophthalmologists should be aware of conjunctivo-corneal leproma as an unusual symptom of leprosy.
Lamagna
Barbara
B
Department of Clinical Sciences, Unit of Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy. blamagna@unina.it
Paciello
Orlando
O
Ragozzino
Manuela
M
Papparella
Serenella
S
Montagnaro
Serena
S
Lamagna
Francesco
F
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015440:Leprosy, Lepromatous / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*