title: Clinical and histopathological features resembling those of human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a cat with nonimmune-mediated glomerulonephropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nonimmune-mediated glomerulonephropathies are rarely reported in domestic animals with the exception of amyloidosis. Here we describe the pathological features and clinical course of a feline with protein-losing nonimmune-mediated glomerulonephropathy characterized by segmental glomerulosclerosis and severe podocyte injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  A castrated male Japanese domestic cat aged 3 years and 8 months had hypertension, persistent proteinuria, and azotemia. Microscopic examination of a renal biopsy revealed many glomeruli with adhesion to the Bowman's capsule and segmental sclerosis. The most characteristic ultrastructural glomerular feature was severe podocyte foot process effacement. No electron-dense deposits were observed. Immunofluorescence revealed no immune deposits, but abnormal expression of nephrin and podocin was detected in the glomeruli. These findings resemble those of human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The cat temporarily responded to treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and prednisolone administration but died of progressive renal failure 32 months after biopsy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cat was diagnosed with nonimmune mediated glomerulonephropathy because of the absence of immune deposits and severe podocyte injury. To our knowledge, this is the first report of nonimmune-mediated glomerulonephropathy in a cat resembling human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan. dv1204@azabu-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Go
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sugahara
authors.affiliation: Hosaka Animal Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. satoshi@hosaka-ah.co.jp.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosaka
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan. dv1206@azabu-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mineshige
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan. kamiie@azabu-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamiie
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan. shirota@azabu-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kinji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shirota
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000662:veterinary; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005923:Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D003404:Creatinine