Caracterização clínica, histológica e molecular da gengivite estomatite crônica felina

Abstract

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a severe inflammatory disease characterized by diffuse or focal ulcerative and/or proliferative lesions affecting the alveolar, lingual, and buccal mucosae. Its etiology is considered multifactorial, involving infectious, immunological, and environmental factors. Definitive diagnosis requires detailed anamnesis, thorough clinical examination, and complementary tests. The present study aimed to characterize oral lesions in 30 cats affected by FCGS through clinical, histological, and molecular analyses. Clinically, the disease was more frequent in young adult animals, accounting for 70%, and less common in geriatric individuals (10%). Among the clinical signs, halitosis was observed in all cases, while ptyalism, oral discomfort, and hyporexia occurred in 63.3% of the animals. Oral examination revealed ulcerative and proliferative lesions in all cats, affecting the pharynx, glossopalatine arch, gingival, alveolar, and buccal mucosae, often extending to the lateral base of the tongue. These lesions exhibited intense reddish coloration, friable consistency, and bleeding upon manipulation. Additionally, 100% , of the animals presented lesions compatible with tooth resorption. Histopathological analysis revealed inflammatory infiltrates predominantly composed of plasma cells and lymphocytes, epithelial hyperplasia, ulcerations, necrosis, and reparative areas characterized by granulation tissue and fibrosis. Diagnostic tests for FeLV and Leishmania spp. were negative in all animals, while three tested positive for FIV. The findings confirm the chronic nature of FCGS and demonstrate that, although it may be associated with immunosuppression, the disease does not rely exclusively on this condition for its manifestation.