Cholangitis

Introduction

Cholangitis describes an inflammation of the biliary tract. Cholangiohepatitis describes the inflammation of the biliary tract and the surrounding hepatic parenchyma. It is typically categorised into Neutrophilic Cholangitis and Lymphocytic Cholangitis.

Signalment

Cholangitis is common in cats, where a periportal hepatocellular necrosis is seen together with the presence of neutrophils in the portal area. Cats can be acutely or chronicaly affected, and male, pure bred cats are most overly prepresented.

The condition is also seen in calves as a secondary condition to bacterial infection, such as Salmonella.

Causes

• ascending infections from the intestine where stasis of bile flow has developed
• associated with organisms excreted via the bile such as salmonellosis infection in calves

Laboratory Findings

Raised ALT and serum bilirubin levels.

Histology

Lymphocytic infiltration of the portal areas is seen, with mild fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia.

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