Generalized AA-amyloidosis in Siamese and Oriental cats

During a 7 year period (1987–1994), 194 Siamese cats including a colour variant designated Oriental cat, were presented for post-mortem examination. Twelve of these animals (6.2%) were diagnosed with amyloidosis. Major gross pathological findings included enlarged pale livers with haemorrhages, pale and swollen spleens, and dilated intestines. Deposits of amyloid were found in these tissues. The amyloid was found to cross-react with anti dog AA-antiserum when examined with peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) staining (four cases). Amyloid fibrils were purified by the water extraction method and its major constituting protein (AA) was isolated by gel filtration. Amino acid sequence analysis of this protein from a Siamese cat and an Abyssinian cat revealed a significant difference between these breeds. In the Siamese protein AA two amino acid substitutions (46 R for Q and 52 V for A) were encountered. This finding indicates the existence of a new feline amyloid A protein occurring in the Siamese breed which differs from presently known (apoS)AA-proteins. Additionally, the pedigree analysis of affected cats suggests a familial trait.