Suppurative rhinitis associated with Haemophilus species infection in a cat : clinical communication

• Main Authors: R.J. Milner, J.H. Horton, P.C. Crawford, J. O'Kelley, A. Nguyen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AOSIS 2004-06-01
• Series: Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
• Subjects: Cats; Flow Cytometry; Haemophilus Segnis; Immune Function; Neutrophil Respiratory Burst; Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
• Online Access: https://jsava.co.za/index.php/jsava/article/view/462
• ISSN: 1019-9128; 2224-9435

A young cat with signs of chronic rhinitis was evaluated for underlying anatomical, inflammatory, or infectious disease. Initial diagnostics were significant for the isolation of an unusual pathogen, Haemophilus species. Isolation using a human RapID(TM) NH system erroneously identified the isolate as H. segnis, a human pathogen. No database of veterinary pathogens (Haemophilus) are included in the system and animal pathogens will either be erroneously identified or yield a unique biocode not listed. Because of the unique nature of the pathogen we explored the possibility of immunosuppression as a contributory factor to infection. A variety of laboratory tests were employed to evaluate immune function. The clinical indications and utility of immune function testing are discussed. No immune dysfunction was identified.