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Journals / Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences / 2025 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 3

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in cats: Clinical presentation, diagnosis and management

Kedilerde İdiyopatik Pulmoner Fibrozis: Klinik Bulgular, Tanı ve Yönetim

Mustafa Berkay Comert(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ - CERRAHPAŞA)0000-0003-1399-4465
Utku Bakırel(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA)0000-0002-4530-3190
Mehmet Erman Or(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA)0000-0002-8764-1956
Pages
207–211
Publication Date
2025-12-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, prospective studies, biomarker research, and the standardization of advanced imaging protocols are required to better understand feline IPF, which will not only increase diagnostic accuracy but also strengthen knowledge transfer between veterinary and human medicine.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease characterized by a distinct histopathological pattern known as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) in human medicine.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Available literature indicates that TGF-β-mediated fibrogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, miRNA, and other molecular regulators play roles in disease processes; and that radiological and histopathological findings (honeycomb pattern, ground-glass opacities, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, fibroblastic foci) demonstrate similarities in both human and feline cases.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, prospective studies, biomarker research, and the standardization of advanced imaging protocols are required to better understand feline IPF, which will not only increase diagnostic accuracy but also strengthen knowledge transfer between veterinary and human medicine.
🔬Design:Derleme
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:interstitial pneumonia · feline lung disease · thoracic imaging

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease characterized by a distinct histopathological pattern known as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) in human medicine. In recent years, cases showing clinical and histological features overlapping with those in humans have also been reported in the feline population. This presentation aims to highlight current knowledge on diagnosis, pathogenesis, clinical findings, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis by comparing reported data in cats with their counterparts in human medicine. Available literature indicates that TGF-β-mediated fibrogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, miRNA, and other molecular regulators play roles in disease processes; and that radiological and histopathological findings (honeycomb pattern, ground-glass opacities, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, fibroblastic foci) demonstrate similarities in both human and feline cases. However, in veterinary medicine, the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, the overlap of radiological findings with other pulmonary pathologies, and limitations in performing invasive biopsies make it difficult to determine the true disease burden. Treatment is mainly supportive; antifibrotic approaches are still evaluated with limited data. In conclusion, prospective studies, biomarker research, and the standardization of advanced imaging protocols are required to better understand feline IPF, which will not only increase diagnostic accuracy but also strengthen knowledge transfer between veterinary and human medicine.

Özet

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease characterized by a distinct histopathological pattern known as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) in human medicine. In recent years, cases showing clinical and histological features overlapping with those in humans have also been reported in the feline population. This presentation aims to highlight current knowledge on diagnosis, pathogenesis, clinical findings, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis by comparing reported data in cats with their counterparts in human medicine. Available literature indicates that TGF-β-mediated fibrogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, miRNA, and other molecular regulators play roles in disease processes; and that radiological and histopathological findings (honeycomb pattern, ground-glass opacities, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, fibroblastic foci) demonstrate similarities in both human and feline cases. However, in veterinary medicine, the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, the overlap of radiological findings with other pulmonary pathologies, and limitations in performing invasive biopsies make it difficult to determine the true disease burden. Treatment is mainly supportive; antifibrotic approaches are still evaluated with limited data. In conclusion, prospective studies, biomarker research, and the standardization of advanced imaging protocols are required to better understand feline IPF, which will not only increase diagnostic accuracy but also strengthen knowledge transfer between veterinary and human medicine.

🔖

Cite This Article

Comert, M. B., Bakırel, U., Or, M. E. (2025). Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in cats: Clinical presentation, diagnosis and management. Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 3, 207–211. https://doi.org/10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.1843303

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