2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

These data indicate that nasal passages and the oropharynx in cats both contain a relatively abundant population of immune cells capable of responding rapidly to TLR activation, with the oropharynx containing a dense T cell population and the nose containing more neutrophils and likely B cells. Both sites responded rapidly to mucosal delivery of TLR agonists, with early appearance of innate immune cells and disappearance and then reappearance of T lymphocytes. These results indicate that mucosal administration of a liposome-TLR agonist rapidly activates local immune responses in the feline upper respiratory tract, which may be associated with non-specific protection from viral or bacterial pathogens. Idiopathic immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA) is an inflammatory non-infectious joint disease caused by immune-complex deposition in the synovium due to a type-III hypersensitivity reaction. Oral administration of immunosuppressive drugs is the standard treatment for this condition. The most commonly used drug is prednisolone, often in combination with other immunosuppressive agents. The benefit of combination immunosuppressive therapy introduced at the time of diagnosis has not been previously evaluated. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare outcomes for dogs with IMPA treated with prednisolone alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive drugs introduced at the time of diagnosis. We hypothesised that the use of combination immunosuppressants would not improve outcome in canine IMPA.