Changes

==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|lymphocytes]] and [[B cell differentiation - WikiBlood#Plasma cells|plasma cells]].  Bile duct hypertrophy and [[Liver Fibrosis|fibrosis]] are present.  However, lymphocytic cholangitis does not progress to biliary [[Cirrhosis|cirrhosis]].  An immune-mediated aetiology has been postulated but this has not been substantiated to date.  It is rarely associated with [[Pancreatitis - WikiClinical|pancreatitis]], compared to [[Neutrophilic Cholangitis]]

'''Lymphocytic cholangitis''' is a slowly progressive chronic disease characterised by infiltration of the portal areas of the liver with inflammatory cells, mostly [[Lymphocytes|lymphocytes]] and [[B cell differentiation - WikiBlood#Plasma cells|plasma cells]].  Bile duct hypertrophy and [[Liver Fibrosis|fibrosis]] are present.  However, lymphocytic cholangitis does not progress to biliary [[Cirrhosis|cirrhosis]].  An immune-mediated aetiology has been postulated but this has not been substantiated to date.  It is rarely associated with [[Pancreatitis - WikiClinical|pancreatitis]], compared to [[Cholangitis, Neutrophilic]]

**[[Icterus|jaundice]]

**[[Icterus|jaundice]]

**lymphadenomegaly

**lymphadenomegaly

*Severe illness and pyrexia is less likely compared to [[Neutrophilic Cholangitis]].   

*Severe illness and pyrexia is less likely compared to [[Cholangitis, Neutrophilic]].   

*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.

===Laboratory Tests===

===Laboratory Tests===

====Haematology====

====Haematology====

*[[Changes in Inflammatory Cells Circulating in Blood - Pathology#Neutrophilia|Neutrophilia]] is less common than with [[Neutrophilic Cholangitis]]

*[[Changes in Inflammatory Cells Circulating in Blood - Pathology#Neutrophilia|Neutrophilia]] is less common than with [[Cholangitis, Neutrophilic]]

====Biochemistry====

====Biochemistry====

===Histopathology===

===Histopathology===

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.

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 [[Cholangitis, Neutrophilic]] needs to be ruled out.