Chronic lymphocytic cholangitis in three cats.

Wedge biopsy of the liver during episodic clinical illness in three male cats showed lymphocytic cholangitis. Principal clinical findings were increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity and hepatomegaly (two cats) associated with anorexia, pyrexia. and weight loss; these signs of illness were intermittent with asymptomatic periods. The hepatic lesions were characterized by lymphoid aggregate or follicle formation, diffusely dispersed lymphocytes and plasma cells, and abnormal bile ducts and ductules. Lymphoid aggregates and diffusely scattered lymphocytes were seen in the pancreas also. The spectrum of hepatic lesions in three cats seemed to represent a progression in the development of the disease. Similarities and dissimilarities between the findings in the three cats and human primary biliary cirrhosis or chronic nonsuppurative destruction cholangitis are discussed. During a prospective search for cats with this disease, other hepatis lesions were found, and it was concluded that cats may be affected by more than one pathogenic mechanism culminating in chronic cholangitis or cholangiohepatitis.