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==Description==
==Description==
'''Lymphocytic cholangitis''' is a slowly progressive chronic disease characterised by infiltration of the portal areas of the liver with inflammatory cells, mostly lymphocytes and plasma cells. Bile duct hypertrophy and fibrosis are present, however, lymphocytic cholangitis does not progress to biliary cirrhosis. An immune-mediated aetiology has been postulated, however, this has not been substantiated to date. It is rarely associated with pancreatitis.
'''Lymphocytic cholangitis''' is a slowly progressive chronic disease characterised by infiltration of the portal areas of the liver with inflammatory cells, mostly lymphocytes and plasma cells. Bile duct hypertrophy and fibrosis are present. However, lymphocytic cholangitis does not progress to biliary cirrhosis. An immune-mediated aetiology has been postulated but this has not been substantiated to date. It is rarely associated with pancreatitis, compared to [[Neutrophilic Cholangitis]]
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
**jaundice
**jaundice
**lymphadenomegaly
**lymphadenomegaly
*Severe illness and pyrexia less likely compared to [[Neutrophilic Cholangitis]].
*Severe illness and pyrexia is less likely compared to [[Neutrophilic Cholangitis]].
*Some cats in the UK are polyphagic and are frequently presented with ascites and/or jaundice.
*Some cats in the UK are polyphagic and are frequently presented with ascites and/or jaundice.
===Haematology & Biochemistry===
*Increased ALP, increased ALT, hyperbilirubinaemia, hyperglobulinaemia
===Laboratory Tests===
*Neutrophilia is less common than with acute cholangitis
====Haematology====
*Neutrophilia is less common than with [[Neutrophilic Cholangitis]]
====Biochemistry====
*Increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
*Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
*Hyperbilirubinaemia
*Hyperglobulinaemia
===Imaging===
===Imaging===
*Radiographic signs are non specific. Hepatomegaly due to enlargement of biliary ducts and ascites in some cases.
*Radiographic signs non specific. Hepatomegaly due to enlargement of biliary ducts and in some cases ascites is also seen.
*Ultrasonography is more helpful and biliary tract dilation can be seen in all cases. Common bile duct is normally dilated and the gallbladder may also be dilated with "sludge". Main differential is extrahepatic biliary obstruction.
*Ultrasonography is more helpful. Biliary tract dilation can be seen in all cases. Common bile duct is normally dilated and the gallbladder may also be dilated with "sludge". Main differential is extrahepatic biliary obstruction.
===Biopsy===
===Histopathology===
Liver biopsy is important to rule out FIP. It is vital to obtain haemostasis profile prior to biopsy due to risk of prolonged coagulation with liver disease.
Liver biopsy is important to rule out Feline Infectious Peritonitis. It is vital to obtain a haemostasis profile prior to biopsy due to risk of prolonged coagulation with liver disease. It is unnecessary to obtain a bile sample unless the presentation is acute, in which case [[Neutrophilic Cholangitis]] needs to be ruled out.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Glucocorticoid at immunosuppressive dose of 1-4 mg/kg BID for 6-12 weeks
*Immunosuppressives
**Glucocorticoid at initial immunosuppressive dose of 2-4 mg/kg q24 hours for 6-12 weeks.
***This should be tapered gradually to alternate day dosing. However, recurrence is common following initial amelioration of clinical signs. Response to therapy is hard to assess due to the slowly progressive nature of this disease. A persistent rise in ALT and/or increasing total serum bilirubin indicates an inadequate control of the disease.
**Azathioprine has been trialled but this is not recommended due to its side effects which include inappetence and leucopaenia.
**Methotrexate at low weekly dose has also been used in a few affected cats.
*Antibiotic may be given at early stages of treatment until an infectious cause has been ruled out.
*Ursodeoxycholic acid at 15 mg/kg q24 hours PO may be given.
**It has hepatoprotective (anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antifibrotic effects) properties and choleretic effect. The latter promotes increased fluidity of biliary secretions for treating or preventing sludging.
*Antioxidants such as S-adenosylmethionine at 20 mg/kg and vitamin E at 100 IU/day.
**These are used to counteract the potent oxidising property of bile.
==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==
Poor due to the waxing and waning feature of this disease. In cats, this disease does not usually progress to end-stage cirrhosis and therefore it does not usually result in death, which is in contrast to dogs.