Inflammatory liver disease.

The histopathologic and clinical features of feline inflammatory liver disease are incompletely under-stood. Results of recent studies indicate that feline inflammatory liver diseases can be classified as acute (suppurative) and chronic (nonsuppurative) cholangiohepatitis and lymphocytic portal hepatitis. Histopathologic features of cholangiohepatitis include infiltration of neutrophils into walls and lumens of bile ducts and portal areas, periportal necrosis, and variable degrees of fibrosis and bile duct hyperplasia. Lymphocytic portal hepatitis is characterized by increased numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells in portal areas, bile duct hyperplasia, and fibrosis. Liver biopsy is needed to establish a definitive diagnosis but trends in clinical laboratory test results may be helpful in establishing a tentative diagnosis. Specific treatment for cholangiohepatitis include antibiotic therapy. Corticosteroids have been recommended for treatment of lymphocytic portal hepatitis.