title: Hypervitaminosis A-induced hepatic fibrosis in a cat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The excessive intake of vitamin A in the form of vitamin concentrate, supplement or vitamin-rich liver can result in hypervitaminosis A in man and animals. Although osteopathologies resulting from chronic vitamin A intoxication in cats are well characterized, no information is available concerning feline hypervitaminosis A-induced liver disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report the first case of hepatic stellate cell lipidosis and hepatic fibrosis in a domestic cat that had been fed a diet based on raw beef liver. Radiographic examination revealed exostoses and ankylosis between vertebrae C1 and T7, compatible with deforming cervical spondylosis. Necropsy showed a slightly enlarged and light yellow to bronze liver. Microscopic and ultrastructural analyses of liver tissues revealed diffuse and severe liver fibrosis associated with hepatic stellate cell hyperplasia and hypertrophy. These cells showed immunopositive staining for α-smooth muscle actin and desmin markers. The necropsy findings of chronic liver disease coupled with osteopathology supported the diagnosis of hypervitaminosis A.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  As in human hepatology, if there is dietary evidence to support increased intake of vitamin A, then hypervitaminosis A should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic liver disease in cats.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Alexandre G T
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: Thiago P A
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Aloia
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Siqueira
authors.forename: André R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.forename: Denise M N
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.forename: Archivaldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reche-Júior
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cogliati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002415:Cats; D049108:Cell Enlargement / Q000187:drug effects; D006986:Hypervitaminosis A / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A