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Feline acne
Advances
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(FCV) and feline herpes virus (FHV-1) in chronic refractory cases. Procedure Clinical, cytological, microbial, and histopathological features of feline acne were investigated in 22 cats and in 5 normal (control) cats. All cats were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the presence of FCV and FHV-1 in acne locations.
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Dermatology
Feline Acne Background Feline acne is an idiopathic disorder of follicular keratinization. The pathogenesis of this condition is believed to involve changes in the hair growth cycle, poor grooming habits, stress, underlying seborrheic predisposition, production of abnormal sebum, and immunosuppression. Recently, concurrent chronic viral infections have been suspected to be involved. Objectives To identify the clinical, cytological, microbial, and histopathological features of feline acne and to investigate, the possible association of feline calicivirus
Results The onset of acne in affected cats occurred from 6 months to 14 years of age. The most common dermatologic lesions were comedones (73%), alopecia (68%), crusts (55%), papules (45%), and erythema (41%). Pruritus was observed in 35% of the affected cats. Cytological evidence of Malassezia pachydermatitis was present in 4 of 22 (18%) of affected cats, and Microsporum canis was isolated from 1 cat with acne. Bacteria, particulary staphylococci and streptococci, were isolated from 10 of 22 (45%) affected cats. Histopathological features included lymphoplasmacytic periductal inflammation (86%), sebaceous gland duct dilatation (73%), follicular keratosis with plugging and dilation (59%), epitrichial gland occlusion and dilatation (32%), folliculitis (27%), pyogranulomatous sebaceous adenitis (23%), and furunculosis (23%). In an affected cat from a household with 5 cats with feline acne, FCV antigen was detected in the biopsy of the chin by IHC. Chin tissue samples from all other affected and unaffected (control) cats were negative by IHC for FHV and FHV-1 antigens. Author Conclusion The histopathological features suggest that feline acne is caused by a follicular keratinization disorder. Almost 50% of the affected cats had concurrent bacterial infections, particularly a coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and α-hemolytic Streptococcus. Malassezia was found in 22% of the affected cats. Secondary infection is an important component of feline acne. There is no evidence of FHV-1 playing a role in feline acne. Inclusions Four figures, 1 table, 14 references.
Editor Annotation The histopathology results of this study support the theory that feline acne is caused by a follicular keratinization disorder. Differentials for classic feline chin acne are relatively limited and include demodicosis and dermatophytosis. Although demodex mites were not detected in this study, it is still important to screen for these mites with skin scrapings. Skin scrapings are fast and inexpensive. If demodicosis is present, it is not likely to resolve without specific therapy. Similarly, although only 1 cat cultured positive for M. canis, performing a DTM culture is indicated, particularly for cases of recurrent or recalcitrant chin acne. Cytology should always be performed to evaluate for secondary bacterial infection and Malassezia sp. yeast. Secondary bacterial infection was identified in 45% of the cases in this study. Interestingly, 5 cats with pruritus isolated to the chin area also had concurrent pyoderma. Treatment for feline chin acne varies with the severity of the lesions. For mild feline chin acne characterized by asymptomatic comedones, treatment is usually not necessary. Topical degreasing or keratolytic therapies are often used but can be irritating (particularly benzoyl peroxide) in some cats. For patients with papules, pustules, or furunculosis, systemic and topical antibacterial therapy is warranted. Topical mupirocin ointment is often quite effective and can be incorporated into maintenance treatment programs for recurrent chin acne. (JLM) Jazic E, Coyner KS, Loeffler DG, et al. An evaluation of the clinical, cytological, infectious and histopathological features of feline acne. Vet Dermatol 2006;17:134-140.
Page 5
(FCV) and feline herpes virus (FHV-1) in chronic refractory cases. Procedure Clinical, cytological, microbial, and histopathological features of feline acne were investigated in 22 cats and in 5 normal (control) cats. All cats were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the presence of FCV and FHV-1 in acne locations.
•
Dermatology
Feline Acne Background Feline acne is an idiopathic disorder of follicular keratinization. The pathogenesis of this condition is believed to involve changes in the hair growth cycle, poor grooming habits, stress, underlying seborrheic predisposition, production of abnormal sebum, and immunosuppression. Recently, concurrent chronic viral infections have been suspected to be involved. Objectives To identify the clinical, cytological, microbial, and histopathological features of feline acne and to investigate, the possible association of feline calicivirus
Results The onset of acne in affected cats occurred from 6 months to 14 years of age. The most common dermatologic lesions were comedones (73%), alopecia (68%), crusts (55%), papules (45%), and erythema (41%). Pruritus was observed in 35% of the affected cats. Cytological evidence of Malassezia pachydermatitis was present in 4 of 22 (18%) of affected cats, and Microsporum canis was isolated from 1 cat with acne. Bacteria, particulary staphylococci and streptococci, were isolated from 10 of 22 (45%) affected cats. Histopathological features included lymphoplasmacytic periductal inflammation (86%), sebaceous gland duct dilatation (73%), follicular keratosis with plugging and dilation (59%), epitrichial gland occlusion and dilatation (32%), folliculitis (27%), pyogranulomatous sebaceous adenitis (23%), and furunculosis (23%). In an affected cat from a household with 5 cats with feline acne, FCV antigen was detected in the biopsy of the chin by IHC. Chin tissue samples from all other affected and unaffected (control) cats were negative by IHC for FHV and FHV-1 antigens. Author Conclusion The histopathological features suggest that feline acne is caused by a follicular keratinization disorder. Almost 50% of the affected cats had concurrent bacterial infections, particularly a coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and α-hemolytic Streptococcus. Malassezia was found in 22% of the affected cats. Secondary infection is an important component of feline acne. There is no evidence of FHV-1 playing a role in feline acne. Inclusions Four figures, 1 table, 14 references.
Editor Annotation The histopathology results of this study support the theory that feline acne is caused by a follicular keratinization disorder. Differentials for classic feline chin acne are relatively limited and include demodicosis and dermatophytosis. Although demodex mites were not detected in this study, it is still important to screen for these mites with skin scrapings. Skin scrapings are fast and inexpensive. If demodicosis is present, it is not likely to resolve without specific therapy. Similarly, although only 1 cat cultured positive for M. canis, performing a DTM culture is indicated, particularly for cases of recurrent or recalcitrant chin acne. Cytology should always be performed to evaluate for secondary bacterial infection and Malassezia sp. yeast. Secondary bacterial infection was identified in 45% of the cases in this study. Interestingly, 5 cats with pruritus isolated to the chin area also had concurrent pyoderma. Treatment for feline chin acne varies with the severity of the lesions. For mild feline chin acne characterized by asymptomatic comedones, treatment is usually not necessary. Topical degreasing or keratolytic therapies are often used but can be irritating (particularly benzoyl peroxide) in some cats. For patients with papules, pustules, or furunculosis, systemic and topical antibacterial therapy is warranted. Topical mupirocin ointment is often quite effective and can be incorporated into maintenance treatment programs for recurrent chin acne. (JLM) Jazic E, Coyner KS, Loeffler DG, et al. An evaluation of the clinical, cytological, infectious and histopathological features of feline acne. Vet Dermatol 2006;17:134-140.