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Case Reports
. 2017 Jul 25;3(2):2055116917719401.
doi: 10.1177/2055116917719401. eCollection 2017 Jul-Dec.

Tuberculosis joint infections in four domestic cats

Stephanie M Lalor  1 , Stephen Clarke  1 , Jonathan Pink  1 , Andrew Parry  1 , Emma Scurrell  2 , Noel Fitzpatrick  3 , Fraje Watson  3 , Conor O'Halloran  4 , Danielle Gunn-Moore  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Tuberculosis joint infections in four domestic cats

Stephanie M Lalor et al. JFMS Open Rep. .

Abstract

Case series summary: This paper describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging findings and outcome in four cats with confirmed joint-associated tuberculosis. The cats were 2-6 years of age, and immune competent. Three cases had tuberculosis affecting only one joint, whereas one case had at least three joints affected. Two cases were caused by Mycobacterium bovis, and the other two were caused by Mycobacterium microti. Radiological findings included osteolysis, periosteal reaction and associated soft tissue swelling. Two cases were euthanased and two cases responded well to amputation and follow-on antibiotic therapy.

Relevance and novel information: To our knowledge, this is the first publication of a series of cats with joint-associated tuberculosis. Although tuberculosis is not common, a high degree of suspicion is needed to avoid delayed diagnosis. This case series highlights the importance of considering mycobacterial disease as a differential for joint disease in cats.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Dorsal multiplanar reformatted image of the left tarsus of case 1. A moderate periosteal reaction as described is identified (arrows)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sagittal multiplanar reformatted image of the left carpus of case 2. There is marked soft tissue swelling associated with the antebrachiocarpal joint. Osteolysis of the distal radius is also identified (arrows)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Dorsal multiplanar reformatted image of the left carpus of case 2. There is marked soft tissue swelling identified associated with the antebrachiocarpal joint (arrow). Smooth periosteal new bone is identified along the medial aspect of the distal radius. Marked osteolysis is identified, and particularly obvious in the lateral aspect of the distal radial epiphysis (arrow)
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) The lymph node cortex is focally infiltrated by pyogranulomatous to granulomatous inflammation (red circle). (b) A lymphoid follicle lies to the right-hand side of the image (haematoxylin and eosin, × 200)
Figure 5
Figure 5
Dorsopalmar radiograph of the right antebrachiocarpal joint of case 4. There is marked soft tissue swelling associated with the antebrachiocarpal joint, as well as a smooth periosteal reaction along the distal radial metaphysis on the medial and lateral aspects. Focal regions of osteolysis are present within the medial aspect of the distal radial epiphysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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