Allergens in Cats with Asthma

Winn funded research

Moriello, K. A., R. L. Stepien, et al. (2007). "Pilot study: prevalence of positive aeroallergen reactions in 10 cats with small-airway disease without concurrent skin disease." Vet Dermatol 18(2): 94-100.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of positive allergen reactions in cats with small-airway disease (i.e. 'feline asthma'). Affected cats had significantly more individual positive allergen reactions on both tests than unaffected cats. The increased prevalence of individual positive allergen reactions in affected cats may be due to increased immunological reactivity in these cats. Further studies are needed to answer this question and to determine what role, if any, aeroallergens have in the pathogenesis of this complex feline disease.
>> PubMed abstract

Winn Feline Foundation Library

Comparison of the feline genome to canine and human genomes

Winn funded research

Murphy, W. J., B. Davis, et al. (2007). "A 1.5-Mb-resolution radiation hybrid map of the cat genome and comparative analysis with the canine and human genomes." Genomics 89(2): 189-96.

We report the construction of a 1.5-Mb-resolution radiation hybrid map of the domestic cat genome. This new map includes novel microsatellite loci and markers derived from the 2X genome sequence that target previous gaps in the feline-human comparative map. Ninety-six percent of the 1793 cat markers we mapped have identifiable orthologues in the canine and human genome sequences.
>> PubMed abstract

For more information:
Dr. Bill Murphy's webpage at Texas A&M University

Winn Feline Foundation Library

Feline caliciviruses causing virulent systemic disease are genetically distinct

Winn funded research

Ossiboff, R. J., A. Sheh, et al. (2007). "Feline caliciviruses (FCVs) isolated from cats with virulent systemic disease possess in vitro phenotypes distinct from those of other FCV isolates." J Gen Virol 88(Pt 2): 506-27.

During the past decade, several outbreaks of severe systemic disease associated with feline calicivirus (FCV) have occurred in the USA and the UK. This new disease has caused high mortality in the affected animals and has been termed virulent systemic (VS)-FCV disease. These results suggest that VS isolates have arisen independently several times since first being described and can spread more efficiently in tissue culture than other isolates when infected at low multiplicity.
>> PubMed abstract

For more information:
UC Davis Shelter Medicine Program Information Sheet

Winn Feline Foundation Library

PKD and PRA are not linked to coat colors in Persian cats

Winn funded research

Rah, H., D. J. Maggs, et al. (2006). "Lack of genetic association among coat colors, progressive retinal atrophy and polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats." J Feline Med Surg 8(5): 357-60.

An inherited form of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is recognized in Persian cats; however, the prevalence of PRA in the breed has not been determined. Breeders suggest that cats from only brown ('chocolate') or Himalayan ('pointed') lines are at risk for PRA, suggesting the disease is not widespread. This study was designed to evaluate whether PRA in Persian cats is associated with three coat colors, including chocolate, or with a highly prevalent inherited disease in this breed--polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
>> PubMed abstract

For more information:
Dr. Lesley Lyons' Feline Genetics Laboratory

Winn Feline Foundation Library

Flow cytometry to assess oxidative stress in cats

Winn funded research

Webb, C., C. Bedwell, et al. (2006). "Use of flow cytometry and monochlorobimane to quantitate intracellular glutathione concentrations in feline leukocytes." Vet Immunol Immunopathol 112(3-4): 129-40.

Oxidative stress and abnormal glutathione metabolism is thought to play an important role in various diseases of cats. However, current assays for the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) are time-consuming and semi-quantitative and do not allow assessment of GSH concentrations in individual cell populations. Therefore, we developed a flow cytometric assay for rapid determination of intracellular GSH concentrations in feline blood leukocytes.
>> PubMed abstract

Winn Feline Foundation Library

Ramipril treatment for feline HCM

Winn funded research

MacDonald, K. A., M. D. Kittleson, et al. (2006). "The effect of ramipril on left ventricular mass, myocardial fibrosis, diastolic function, and plasma neurohormones in Maine Coon cats with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without heart failure." J Vet Intern Med 20(5): 1093-105.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease of cats, resulting in left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and diastolic dysfunction. [The hypothesis:] Ramipril will reduce LV mass, improve diastolic function, and reduce myocardial fibrosis in cats with HCM without congestive heart failure (CHF).
>> PubMed abstract

For more information:
Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Ricky Fund for HCM Research

Winn Feline Foundation Library: Special Collection - HCM

Tissue Doppler imaging and cardiac MRI in cats

Winn funded research

MacDonald, K. A., M. D. Kittleson, et al. (2006). "Tissue Doppler imaging and gradient echo cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in normal cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." J Vet Intern Med 20(3): 627-34.

Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) often develop diastolic dysfunction, which can lead to development of left congestive heart failure. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography has emerged as a useful, noninvasive method for assessing diastolic function in cats. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) has been performed in cats and accurately quantifies left ventricular (LV) mass in normal cats. However, assessment of cardiac function in cats by cMRI has not been performed.
>> PubMed abstract

For more information:
Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Ricky Fund for HCM Research

Winn Feline Foundation Library: Special Collection - HCM

Ifosfamide Treatment for Cats With Cancer

Winn funded research

Rassnick, K. M., A. S. Moore, et al. (2006). "Phase I trial and pharmacokinetic analysis of ifosfamide in cats with sarcomas." Am J Vet Res 67(3): 510-6.

The principal objectives of the study reported here were to determine the DLT [dose-limiting toxicoses] and MTD [maximally tolerated dose] of ifosfamide when administered as a single IV dose and to characterize the pharmacokinetic pattern of ifosfamide in cats. We also intended to obtain preliminary evidence of antitumor activity of ifosfamide in cats with sarcomas.
>> PubMed abstract

For more information:
Rassnick, K. M., C. O. Rodriguez, et al. (2006). "Results of a phase II clinical trial on the use of ifosfamide for treatment of cats with vaccine-associated sarcomas." Am J Vet Res 67(3): 517-23.

Winn Feline Foundation Library

Heart failure associated with corticosteroids in cats

Winn funded research

Ployngam, T., A. H. Tobias, et al. (2006). "Hemodynamic effects of methylprednisolone acetate administration in cats." Am J Vet Res 67(4): 583-7.

Recently, CHF [congestive heart failure] associated with corticosteroid administration has been described in cats and humans. The purpose of the study reported here was to investigate which ... mechanisms may contribute to the pathophysiologic characteristics of corticosteroid-associated CHF in cats.
>> PubMed abstract

Winn Feline Foundation Library

Intravenous lidocaine for pain control in cats

Winn funded research

Pypendop, B. H., J. E. Ilkiw, et al. (2006). "Effects of intravenous administration of lidocaine on the thermal threshold in cats." Am J Vet Res 67(1): 16-20.

Drug options for provision of analgesia in cats are limited. When administered IV, lidocaine has been reported to provide analgesia in various painful conditions ... in several species including humans, rats, horses, and rabbits. However, to our knowledge, no data are available on the potential clinical use of IV administration of lidocaine as a systemic analgesic in cats.
>> PubMed abstract

For more information:
Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia Support Group

Winn Feline Foundation Library

Novel Y chromosome genes in the cat

Winn funded research

Murphy, W., A. Pearks Wilkerson, et al. (2006). "Novel gene acquisition on carnivore Y chromosomes." PLoS Genet 2(3): 0353-0363.

Despite its importance in harboring genes critical for spermatogenesis and male-specific functions, the Y chromosome has been largely excluded as a priority in recent mammalian genome sequencing projects. Only the human and chimpanzee Y chromosomes have been well characterized at the sequence level. Here we used direct cDNA selection to isolate and evaluate the extent of novel Y chromosome gene acquisition in the genome of the domestic cat ... We discovered four novel Y chromosome genes [in the cat].
>> PubMed abstract
>> Free full-text article

Winn Feline Foundation Library

Biopsy methods for inflammatory bowel disease

Winn funded research

Evans, S. E., J. J. Bonczynski, et al. (2006). "Comparison of endoscopic and full-thickness biopsy specimens for diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and alimentary tract lymphoma in cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 229(9): 1447-50.

Endoscopic biopsy specimens were useful for diagnosis of gastric lymphosarcoma but were not adequate for differentiating between IBD and lymphosarcoma in the small intestine. Because the most common sites of alimentary tract lymphosarcoma in cats are the jejunum and ileum, full-thickness biopsy specimens of those sites should be obtained via laparotomy or laparoscopy for accurate diagnosis.
>> PubMed abstract

For more information:
Inflammatory bowel disease

Winn Feline Foundation Library

Tabby coat pattern in cats

Winn funded research

Lyons, L. A., S. J. Bailey, et al. (2006). "The Tabby cat locus maps to feline chromosome B1." Anim Genet 37(4): 383-6.

The Tabby markings of the domestic cat are unique coat patterns for which no causative candidate gene has been inferred from other mammals. In this study, a genome scan was performed on a large pedigree of cats that segregated for Tabby coat markings, specifically for the Abyssinian (Ta-) and blotched (tbtb) phenotypes.
>> PubMed abstract
>> Free full-text article

For more information:
Dr. Leslie Lyons' Feline Genetics Laboratory

Winn Feline Foundation Library

Cytokine profiles and feline coronavirus infection

Winn funded research

Gelain, M. E., M. Meli, et al. (2006). "Whole blood cytokine profiles in cats infected by feline coronavirus and healthy non-FCoV infected specific pathogen-free cats." J Feline Med Surg 8(6): 389-99.

In this study, the cytokine profiles of clinically healthy cats naturally infected with feline coronavirus (FCoV), of cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and of specific pathogen-free (SPF) cats were investigated in whole blood using a traditional reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and a semi-quantitative method of analysis based on computerised quantification of positive bands.
>> PubMed abstract

>> Bria Fund for FIP Research

For more information:
Winn Feline Foundation Library: Special Collection - FIP

Virulent systemic calicivirus infection

Winn funded research

Foley, J., K. Hurley, et al. (2006). "Virulent systemic feline calicivirus infection: local cytokine modulation and contribution of viral mutants." J Fel Med Surg 8(1): 55-61.

Virulent systemic feline calicivirus (VS-FCV) is a novel, emerging pathogen with mortality up to 67% even in previously healthy adult cats; VS-FCV has resulted in at least six epidemics since 1998. Understanding the features contributing to the emergence of this disease is critical for management and prevention of this and similar outbreaks attributable to RNA viruses in animals and humans.
>> PubMed abstract

For more information:
UC Davis Shelter Medicine Program Information Sheet

Winn Feline Foundation Library

White Spotting Gene in Cats

Winn funded research

Cooper, M. P., N. Fretwell, et al. (2006). "White spotting in the domestic cat (Felis catus) maps near KIT on feline chromosome B1." Anim Genet 37(2): 163-5.

This study indicates that KIT, or another gene within the linked region, is a candidate for white spotting in cats.
>> Pubmed abstract
>> Free full-text article in PubMed Central

For more information:
Dr. Lesley Lyons' Feline Genetics Laboratory

Winn Feline Foundation Library