Serum Cytokine Profiling in Cats with Acute Idiopathic Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis-an imbalance of risk and protective factors?

Interstitial cystitis (IC) presents as a chronic pain condition with variable combinations of symptoms depending on the species and individual patient. It is diagnosed by the presence of lower urinary tract signs and symptoms in combination with a variety of comorbid health problems, a history of life adversities, and the absence of other conditions that could cause the lower urinary tract signs. IC occurs naturally in humans and cats as a dimensional condition, with patients presenting with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms. Most patients appear to recover without specific treatment. A number of rodent models of IC have been used to study its causes and treatments. Unfortunately, current therapies generally fail to ameliorate IC symptoms long-term. The recent classification of IC as a chronic primary pain disorder calls for a rethinking of current clinical and research approaches to it. Beginning when a patient encounters a clinician, precipitating, perpetuating, and palliating risk factors can be addressed until a cause or reliably effective therapy is identified, and identifying predisposing and preventive factors can inform epidemiological studies and health promotion interventions. Predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating risk factors, including environmental, psychological, and biological, increase the activity of the central threat response system (CTRS), which plays a clinically important role in IC symptoms. Studies in cats and rodent models have revealed that environmental enrichment (EE), in the absence of bladder-directed therapies, leads to amelioration of IC symptoms, implying a central role for the CTRS in symptom precipitation and perpetuation. Conceptually moving the source of IC pain to the brain as a motivational state rather than one resulting from peripheral nociceptive input offers both clinicians and researchers novel opportunities to improve care for patients with IC and for researchers to use more ecologically valid rodent models. It may even be that IC results from an excess of risk to protective factors, making this imbalance a targetable cause rather than a consequence of IC.

Blood plasma and urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress in cats with urethral obstruction

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate variations of the oxidative status in cats affected by urethral obstruction (UO) under Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) and Bacterial Cystitis (BC), in comparison with a group of healthy subjects. In both groups, the levels of several markers (either direct or indirect) indicative of the oxidative attack and of the antioxidant response were analyzed on plasma and urine samples. In particular, the plasma samples were evaluated for nitric oxide (NO), hydroperoxides derived by reactive oxygen activity (d-ROMs test), superoxide anion (O2-), glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP test); while on urine the levels of NO, d-ROMs, FRAP, SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured. Urine of UO patients was also subjected to urine-culture test.

RESULTS

The analytical data on plasma showed that UO, independently of the FIC or BC etiology, induced the insurgence of oxidative stress conditions at the systemic level. In the urine of the UO patients, except for SOD that increased, the markers of redox status were markedly decreased due probably their compromised filtration, thus suggesting involvement of renal function (assessed also by the high levels of plasma creatinine and proteinuria) with no oxidative damage of the lower urinary tract. Moreover, the adoption of a novel oxidative stress index' (OSI) allowed to establish, by means of a numerical value, the different degrees of oxidative stress conditions for single UO patients, both in terms of oxidative attack and antioxidant response.

CONCLUSIONS

Feline urethral obstruction, induced by Idiopathic Cystitis and Bacterial Cystitis, causes oxidative stress conditions at the systemic level that do not interest the lower urinary tract. Despite to the high variability of the profiles of oxidative stress indexes both in healthy and UO patients, the determination of OSI made possible the evaluation of their single degrees of oxidative stress. Possibly the results of this investigation can be compared with those of correspondent pathologies both in humans and in other animal species.

Molecular effects of intermittent stress on primary feline uroepithelial cell culture as an in vitro model of feline idiopathic cystitis

Introduction

The most common cause of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUDT) is feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), which is a complex multifactorial disease with symptoms including stranguria, dysuria, hematuria, and pain during urination. The development of these symptoms is often triggered by stress, and in case of chronic stress, these symptoms will many times return. One of the most important stress hormones in the pathogenesis of FIC is norepinephrine (NE), as persistently elevated level of this hormone can be measured in the blood of cats with FIC. However, it is not well understood if recurrently elevated level of NE has any direct effect on urinary bladder, therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the molecular effects of intermittent NE exposure on feline primary uroepithelial cell culture.

Methods

Primary uroepithelial cells were gained from the mucosa of the bladder of a euthanized cat, and were cultured for 6 days, then they were exposed to 10, 100, and 1,000 μM NE treatment for 3 × 1 h, including a 1 h long regeneration period between exposures.

Results

NE was able to trigger pro-inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the uroepithelial cells by increasing the level of stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and H2O2 in cell culture media. In addition, NE increased the permeability of the uroepithelium, since decreased glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentration, tight junction protein claudin-4 content, and TER values were measured after the NE treatments.

Discussion

Based on these results it can be concluded that recurrent stress mimicked by 3×1 h NE treatment has a direct molecular effect on the uroepithelial cells, which leads to inflammatory response, oxidative stress and decreased barrier function of the uroepithelium. Therefore, intermittent release of NE may have an important role in the pathogenesis of FIC and the results of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the development of this illness.

Diagnostic effectiveness of stress biomarkers in cats with feline interstitial and bacterial cystitis

BACKGROUND

Although bacterial cystitis (BC) and feline interstitial cystitis (FIC) are categorized under feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) due to their similar clinical manifestations, stress is an important factor for FIC. Therefore, the investigation of stress biomarkers might be important in the differentiation and elucidation of these conditions.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of serum and urine cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine concentrations and their relationship with stress in cats with FIC and BC.

METHODS

Twelve healthy cats (Control group) and 24 cats with FLUTD were used. The cats with FLUTD were divided into FIC and BC groups.

RESULTS

Multimodal environmental modification (MEMO) scores were found to be higher in the FIC group than in the BC and Control groups (P < .001). Urine serotonin concentrations were higher in cats with FIC and BC compared with those in the Control group. Based on ROC analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of urine serotonin and dopamine were found to be statistically significant in being able to differentially diagnose cats in the FIC group vs the Control group. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of serum dopamine were also found to be statistically significant for the differential diagnosis of FIC and BC.

CONCLUSIONS

High urine serotonin concentrations were found in cats with FLUTD compared with healthy controls and interpreted as the presence of stress not only in cats with FIC but also in cats with BC. Also, based on the ROC-based diagnostic performance evaluation of these stress biomarkers, urine serotonin, and dopamine concentrations can be used to diagnose FIC, and serum dopamine concentrations can be used to differentiate FIC and BC in cats.

Comparative evaluation of selected serum and urine biomarkers in cats with interstitial and bacterial cystitis

BACKGROUND

Although feline urine is increasingly submitted for bacterial culture and susceptibility testing in veterinary practice, bacterial cystitis (BC) is relatively uncommon compared with feline interstitial cystitis (FIC), which shares similar clinical manifestations. Therefore, an investigation of certain urothelial (glycosaminoglycan [GAG], tissue inhibition metalloproteinase-2 [TIMP-2]), cytokine (interleukin 12 [IL-12]), and neurotrophic factor (nerve growth factor [NGF]) markers may aid diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of selected serum/urine biomarkers in the diagnosis of cats with FIC and BC.

METHODS

Twelve healthy cats (Control group) and 24 cats with feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) were used, and the cats with FLUTD were divided into FIC and BC groups.

RESULTS

When comparing the three groups, serum GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations were highest in the FIC group; urine GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations were higher in the FIC and BC groups than those in the Control group. Serum NGF concentrations were higher in the FIC group than in all other groups. Also, serum GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations were found to be effective in the differential diagnosis of FIC vs BC.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that serum NGF is a candidate biomarker that could be used in the diagnosis and differentiation of FIC. Urine GAG, IL-12, NGF, and TIMP-2 concentrations might be helpful in determining urinary bladder inflammation and/or damage in cats with FIC and BC. ROC analyses revealed that serum and urine biomarkers were effective for diagnosing FIC and that serum biomarkers rather than urine biomarkers were effective for the differential diagnosis of FIC and feline BC.

Feline Uroepithelial Cell Culture as a Novel Model of Idiopathic Cystitis: Investigations on the Effects of Norepinephrine on Inflammatory Response, Oxidative Stress, and Barrier Function

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is one of the most common urinary tract disorders in domestic cats. As stress is suggested to play a key role in the pathogenesis of FIC, the effects of norepinephrine (NE) as a stress mediator were investigated on a novel feline primary uroepithelial cell culture, serving as an in vitro model of the disease. The uroepithelial cells gained from the mucosa of the bladder of a euthanized cat were cultured for 6 days and were acutely exposed to NE (10, 100, and 1000 µM) for 1 h. NE increased the metabolic activity of the cultured cells and elevated the extracellular concentrations of the pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin-6 (IL-6) and stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1), confirming that NE can trigger an inflammatory response in the uroepithelium. Cellular protein carbonyl levels were increased by NE exposure, while malondialdehyde and glucose regulated protein 78 concentrations remained unchanged, indicating that NE may provoke the oxidative damage of proteins without inducing lipid peroxidation or endoplasmic reticulum stress. Further, it can be strongly suggested that an acute NE challenge might diminish the barrier function of uroepithelial cells, as reflected by the decreased glycosaminoglycan concentration, claudin-4 protein expression, and reduced TER values of the NE-treated cell cultures. Based on these results, short-term NE exposure mimicking acute stress can provoke an inflammatory response and decrease the barrier integrity of cultured feline uroepithelial cells. Hence, it is highly expected that stress-associated NE release may play an important mediatory role in the pathogenesis of FIC.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, Pathophysiology, Potential Biomarkers and Management of Feline Idiopathic Cystitis: An Update Review

Feline idiopathic cystitis is a widespread disease in small animal clinics, which mainly presents with urinary signs like dysuria, stranguria, hematuria, pollakiuria, and periuria. The etiopathogenesis of the disease may involve interactions between the environmental stressors, neuroendocrine system and bladder of affected cats. Diagnostic biomarkers have not been tested in clinical studies though they are theoretically feasible, and since the clinical signs of the disease assemble those of other feline lower urinary diseases, its diagnosis is a procedure of exclusion. The primary treatment of the disease is long-term multimodal environmental modification (or enrichment) while anti-anxiety drugs and nutritional supplements are recommended for chronic recurrent cases. Still, many medicines need to be evaluated for their efficacy and safety. This review aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of feline idiopathic cystitis by summarizing and updating studies concerning the prevalence, risk factors, etiological hypotheses, diagnostic procedures, possible treatments, and prognosis of the disease.

Secretory Profile of Adipose-Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Cats with Calicivirus-Positive Severe Chronic Gingivostomatitis

The feline calicivirus (FCV) causes infections in cats all over the world and seems to be related to a broad variety of clinical presentations, such as feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), a severe oral pathology in cats. Although its etiopathogeny is largely unknown, FCV infection is likely to be a main predisposing factor for developing this pathology. During recent years, new strategies for treating FCGS have been proposed, based on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. The main mechanism of action of MSC seems to be paracrine, due to the secretion of many biomolecules with different biological functions (secretome). Currently, several pathologies in humans have been shown to be related to functional alterations of the patient’s MSCs. However, the possible roles that altered MSCs might have in different diseases, including virus-mediated diseases, remain unknown. We have recently demonstrated that the exosomes produced by the adipose-tissue-derived MSCs (fAd-MSCs) from cats suffering from FCV-positive severe and refractory FCGS showed altered protein contents. Based on these findings, the goal of this work was to analyze the proteomic profile of the secretome produced by feline adipose-tissue-derived MSCs (fAd-MSCs) from FCV-positive patients with FCGS, in order to identify differences between them and to increase our knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of this disease. We used high-resolution mass spectrometry and functional enrichment analysis with Gene Ontology to compare the secretomes produced by the fAd-MSCs of healthy and calicivirus-positive FCGS cats. We found that the fAd-MSCs from cats with FCGS had an increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an altered proteomic profile compared to the secretome produced by cells from healthy cats. These findings help us gain insight on the roles of MSCs and their possible relation to FCGS, and may be useful for selecting specific biomarkers and for identifying new therapeutic targets.

Acute-phase proteins in cats with obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease

BACKGROUND

Feline obstructive disease of the lower urinary tract (FLUTD) is a common pathologic condition of cats. It can be related to sterile inflammation, which leads to acute impairment of renal function and the accumulation of electrolytes and acid-base imbalance. Acute-phase proteins (APPs) are biomarkers of tissue damage from inflammation that assist in monitoring treatment and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE

Monitoring the inflammatory processes of obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease through the determination of plasma fibrinogen concentrations and serum concentrations of the acute-phase proteins, serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and albumin.

METHODOLOGY

Twenty-five male cats were included in this study. They were divided into two experimental groups: a control group (CG) and an obstruction group (OG). There were 8 healthy cats in the CG group and 17 cats with obstructive FLUTD in the OG group. APP measurements were conducted using ELISA kits. Samples were collected for APP analyses, serum biochemical assays, urinalyses, and urine protein: creatinine ratio calculations at diagnosis, before urethral clearance (H0), and 12 (H12), 24 (H24), and 48 (H48) hours after urethral clearance from cats in the OG group. Samples were collected once from cats in the CG group cats.

RESULTS

At H0, we found positive correlations of SAA, AGP, and fibrinogen with urea and creatinine, and negative correlations of albumin with hematuria, SAA, and potassium. At H48, we found positive correlations between SAA and AGP, AGP and urea, fibrinogen and urea, fibrinogen and creatinine, fibrinogen and AGP, and fibrinogen and SAA. In addition, a negative correlation of albumin with urea and creatinine was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum amyloid A, AGP, fibrinogen, and albumin could be used as biomarkers of inflammatory processes in cats with obstructive FLUTD.

Characterisation of the serum cytokine profile in feline atopic skin syndrome

BACKGROUND

Feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) is a pruritic and inflammatory skin disease commonly encountered in cats. Three previous reports evaluated cytokine immune activation in cats diagnosed with feline allergic dermatitis. However, no significant upregulations were observed in allergic cats compared to healthy controls.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE

To evaluate differences in the serum cytokine profile of cats diagnosed with FASS compared to healthy cats, and correlate serum markers with the extent of FASS skin disease using clinical scoring systems.

ANIMALS

Thirteen client-owned FASS cats and 12 healthy control cats.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Thirteen cytokine and chemokines from the serum of FASS cats and healthy controls were analysed using a commercially available feline-specific multiplex assay.

RESULTS

Patients with FASS had a significant increase in serum concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-13 and IL-18. In addition, cytokine/chemokines involved in inflammation and chemotaxis [IL-8, C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand (CCL)5, CCL2 and CXCL12], as well as growth factors, stem cell factor and Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), also were significantly elevated. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.64) between the serum levels of Flt3L and Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) score was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate the activation of a broad array of immune secretory cytokines in the serum of cats with FASS, which are largely associated with a mixed Th1 and Th2 inflammatory response along with specific growth factors. Further larger-sample studies are needed to assess the modulation of serum biomarkers in FASS by pharmacological/therapeutic interventions.

Botanicals Reduce Circulating Concentrations of Cholesterol and Triglycerides and Work Synergistically With Arachidonic Acid to Reduce Inflammatory Cytokines in Cats

Forty Eight cats were used to measure the effects of feeding a traditional adult cat food supplemented with either arachidonic acid (ARA), a botanical mix (botanicals) or both on circulating biochemical parameters and inflammatory cytokines. The cats were healthy adults (mean age, 3.0; range, 1.3-6.4 years). The adult cats were fed one of four foods (n = 12 per group) for 84 days (dietary changes reported as fed): a traditional adult cat food (control, 0.05% ARA no added botanicals), or control food supplemented with arachidonic acid from chicken liver (0.13% ARA when supplemented), control food supplemented with botanicals (green tea 0.5%, fenugreek 0.05%, and tulsi 0.003%), and control plus ARA (0.13% as fed) with botanicals (green tea 0.5%, fenugreek 0.05%, and tulsi 0.003%). Response variables were compared between treatments: initially, and at 84 days (end of study). The measurements were standard complete blood counts and chemistries as well as circulating cytokines. Botanical inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) circulating cholesterol and triglycerides while arachidonic acid increased (P < 0.05) their concentrations. The pro-inflammatory cytokines MCP-1, TNFα, SDF-1, Flt3L, IL-8, IL-12p40, IL-13, and IL-18 were all reduced (P < 0.05) in cats after consuming the ARA + botanicals food for 84 days with little change after consuming the other foods. Therefore, this combination of ARA and botanicals may be of value in reducing inflammation.

Cytokine and Chemokine Profiling in Cats With Sepsis and Septic Shock

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition associated with an exacerbated production of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines that can promote a hyperactive response to infection or induce immunoparalysis. Data regarding the immune response to sepsis in cats are scarce. Establishing the profiles of cytokines and chemokines in feline sepsis to characterize the nature of the immune responses to sepsis might enable individualized treatments to be developed and targeted.

Objective: To evaluate the cytokine and chemokine network in cats with sepsis and septic shock, and to investigate the associations of these analytes with disease severity and outcome.

Methods: Blood samples prospectively collected at presentation of cats with sepsis and septic shock to two veterinary teaching hospitals were analyzed. Forty healthy cats were included as controls. A 19-plex feline cytokine/chemokine magnetic bead assay system was used to measure analytes in citrated plasma samples. Cytokine concentrations were compared between groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's post-hoc correction for multiple comparisons. Cytokine concentrations were compared between survivors and non-survivors with the Mann-Whitney U test. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. A multivariable logistic regression model for prediction of septic shock was constructed.

Results: The study enrolled 35 septic cats. Many cytokines were undetectable in both sick and healthy control cats and were excluded from subsequent analyses. Comparisons of cytokine concentrations among healthy controls, cats with sepsis (n = 12) and cats with septic shock (n = 23) revealed that sick cats (sepsis or septic shock) had significantly higher plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, KC-like, and RANTES compared to healthy controls. The combination of MCP-1, Flt-3L, and IL-12 was predictive of septic shock. None of the cytokines analyzed was predictive of outcome in this study population.

Conclusion: Plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, KC-like, and RANTES are increased in cats with sepsis and may play important roles in pathogenesis. Multivariable modeling suggested that analysis of cytokines might aid differentiation of septic shock from sepsis. None of the cytokines analyzed was predictive of outcome. Measurement of these cytokines might enable future studies to better diagnose and characterize feline sepsis and septic shock.

A prospective randomized study of efficacy of 2 treatment protocols in preventing recurrence of clinical signs in 51 male cats with obstructive idiopathic cystitis

Background

Urethral obstruction (UO) is a common complication of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). Robust treatment recommendations to prevent its recurrence are scarce.

Objectives

To evaluate meloxicam treatment for prevention of clinical recrudescence in male cats with obstructive FIC.

Animals

Fifty‐one client‐owned cats.

Methods

Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Every male cat with FIC‐associated UO was deemed eligible for the study and was recruited during hospitalization. After discharge, cats were treated with phenoxybenzamine and alprazolam for 2 weeks, with (24 cats) or without (27 cats) low‐dose meloxicam (0.025 mg/kg/day PO) and monitored for 6 months.

Results

Cumulative number (%) of cats with recurrent UO at 10 days, 1‐, 2‐, and 6‐months after discharge was 1 (2%), 2 (4%), 4 (8%), and 8 (16%), respectively. Overall, 12 (24%) cats experienced signs of recurrent FIC within 6 months, with (8 cats) or without (4 cats) concurrent UO. No difference in the cumulative incidence of UO within 6 months was detected with addition of meloxicam (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.63 [0.13‐2.97]; P = .70). All cats were alive at 6 months.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

No clinical benefit was detected with the addition of low‐dose meloxicam to phenoxybenzamine and alprazolam treatment for 2 weeks after discharge. Nevertheless, this study was underpowered to identify potential differences, and its findings must be corroborated in larger studies.

Clinical-diagnostic criteria and peculiarities of treatment of urocystitis in cats

The results of a study of cats with signs of urocystitis are presented. The general principles of diagnostics based on clinical, laboratory and additional research methods are established. Clinically acute urocystitis was manifested by disorders of urination – pollakiuria, dysuria, stranguria. Some of the animals showed an increase in body temperature, pain in the bladder and tightness of the walls of the abdominal cavity. According to the results of urine study, it was observed that 43.7% of the cats with urocystitis showed an increase in relative density of the urine, a change in urine pH towards higher alkaline levels, urine residue – erythrocytes, leukocytes and microorganisms were indicated. Impurities of salt and sand were found in 58.4% of the cats. In 31.4% of the cats, urocystitis was a complication of urolithiasis. Early diagnosis, especially differential diagnosis of acute and chronic, secondary urocystitis presents difficulties. Therefore, in cases of suspected inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, a complex examination using ultrasound of the kidneys, bladder, prostate gland (in males) and the uterus (in females) is recommended.With therapeutic purpose, sick cats (two groups of 8 animals/group) were administered: anti-microbial agent (5% solution of Enrofloxacin), spasmolytic medicinal agent – Riabal®. Animals of the second group were additionally administered the drug Cystocure (Candioli Farmaceutici). According to the instructions, the plant basis of the powder Cystocure is presented by extracts of cranberries and orange peels. These substances provide the main properties of the drug – help in resisting the bacterial colonization of the lower urinary tract and change in urine pH to the acid side. The applied therapy positively influenced the clinical condition of the cats. Their general health was improved, painful sensations during the act of urination disappeared, the quantity and frequency of diuresis normalized. On the seventh day of treatment, according to the results of the study, the urine became transparent, no microorganisms were detected. In cats of the second group, which additionally used the drug Cystocure, the amount of salts and sand decreased significantly, the pH of the urine did not exceed the recommended value of 6.4, in contrast to animals of the first group.

Cytokine and Chemokine Concentrations as Biomarkers of Feline Mycobacteriosis

Mycobacteriosis is an emerging zoonotic disease of domestic cats and timely, accurate diagnosis is currently challenging. To identify differential cytokine/chemokine concentrations in serum/plasma of cats, which could be diagnostic biomarkers of infection we analysed plasma/serum from 116 mycobacteria-infected cats, 16 healthy controls and six cats hospitalised for unrelated reasons was analysed using the Milliplex MAP Feline Cytokine Magnetic Bead multiplex assay. Three cytokines; sFAS, IL-13 and IL-4 were reduced while seven; GM-CSF, IL-2, PDGF-BB, IL-8, KC, RANTES and TNF-α were elevated in mycobacteria-infected cats compared to healthy controls. However, IL-8 and KC concentrations were not significantly different from cats hospitalised for other reasons. Elevations in TNF-α and PDGF-BB may have potential to identify M. bovis and M. microti infected cats specifically while GM-CSF, IL-2 and FLT3L were increased in MTBC infected cats. This study demonstrates potential use of feline tuberculosis as a spontaneously occurring model of this significant human disease. Cytokine profiling has clear diagnostic potential for mycobacteriosis of cats and could be used discriminate tuberculous from non-tuberculous disease to rapidly inform on zoonotic risk. Future work should focus on the in-field utility of these findings to establish diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of these markers.