Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma and Other Adverse Reactions to Vaccination in Cats (original) (raw)
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Feline injection-site sarcoma: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management
Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2015
In cats, the most serious of adverse effects following vaccination is the occurrence of invasive sarcomas (mostly fibrosarcomas): so-called 'feline injection-site sarcomas' (FISSs). These develop at sites of previous vaccination or injection. They have characteristics that are distinct from those of fibrosarcomas in other areas and behave more aggressively. The rate of metastasis ranges from 10-28%. The pathogenesis of these sarcomas is not yet definitively explained. However, chronic inflammatory reactions are considered the trigger for subsequent malignant transformation. Injections of long-acting drugs (such as glucocorticoids, and others) have been associated with sarcoma formation. Adjuvanted vaccines induce intense local inflammation and seem therefore to be particularly linked to the development of FISS. The risk is lower for modified-live and recombinant vaccines, but no vaccine is risk-free. Aggressive, radical excision is required to avoid tumour recurrence. The pr...
The incidence of feline injection site sarcomas in the United Kingdom
2013
Background: Feline injection site sarcomas (FISS) are aggressive neoplasms that have been associated with vaccination. In North America the incidence estimates have varied from 1 case of FISS per 1,000-10,000 cats vaccinated. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of FISS in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2007. The ratio of FISS to vaccines sold in the UK was also estimated. Fourteen FISS were diagnosed by a convenience sample of 34 small animal veterinary practices in the United Kingdom in 2007 and were used as the numerator for the incidence estimates. Denominator data was obtained from the computer systems of each practice. Considering that a single cause relationship with vaccination is not proven, three different denominators (number of cats registered, the number of cat consultations undertaken and the number of vaccination visits for cats at the practices) were used to express the potential variation in risk. Results: The incidence risk of FISS per year was estimated to be 1/16,000-50,000 cats registered by practices, 1/10,000-20,000 cat consultations and 1/5,000-12,500 vaccination visits. Conclusion: When interpreting these findings, it needs to be taken into consideration that this sample of practices and their cats may not be representative of veterinary practices and cats at risk of FISS in the UK. However it can still be concluded with reasonable certainty that the incidence of FISS in the UK is very low.
Epidemiological and morphological analysis of feline injection site sarcomas
Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 2015
Feline injection site sarcomas (FISS) are malignant neoplasms of mesenchymal origin which arise in sites of injections in cats. The prevalence is estimated between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10 000 vaccinations in the United Kingdom. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of FISS in Poland and to analyse clinical aspects and histological and cytological features of injection site sarcomas. In our study the prevalence of FISS was 0.16% (16 FISS on 10.000 of cats) in feline patients in one of a veterinary surgery which conducts the general practice and 85 on 10.000 cats in a practice focused on veterinary oncology. The most typical microscopic features of FISS found in the present analysis were: the presence of perilesional scarring and inflammation, aggregates of lymphocytes at the tumour periphery, moderate but usually marked cellular pleomorphism and intralesional necrosis. The most typical cytologic features of FISS found in present study were: the presence of neutrophils, ma...
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2015
Recently, vaccination of cats has received scientific and public attention linked to the supposition that a range of rare adverse effects can arise following vaccination. in cats, the most serious of these adverse consequences is the occurrence of invasive sarcomas (mostly fibrosarcomas), so-called 'feline injection-site sarcomas' (FiSSs), that can develop within the skin at sites of previous vaccination. despite extensive research on the pathogenesis of these sarcomas, there is no definitive causal relationship that explains their occurrence and the direct link to vaccination. The most accepted hypothesis suggests that a chronic inflammatory reaction at the site of injection provides a trigger for subsequent malignant transformation. Epidemiology and characterisation in 1991, an increased incidence of tumours in cats that developed at injection sites was first reported in the United States. 1 This observation was connected to an increased use of rabies and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) vaccinations. 2,3 As a consequence, these tumours were first called feline 'vaccine-associated sarcomas'. However, the subsequent finding that other, non-vaccinal injectables can also cause this type of tumour has led to reclassification of these neoplasms as 'feline injection-site sarcomas' (FiSSs). These tumours seem to be unique to cats, 4 although comparable tumours have been reported in ferrets 5 and very occasionally in dogs. 6 FiSSs occur at sites typically used for vaccination and injections, such as the interscapular region (Figure 1), the lateral thoracic or abdominal wall, the lumbar region, and the area of the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles. FiSSs are most commonly located in the subcutis, but also can occur intramuscularly. 7,8 FiSSs can occur as early as 4 months and up to 3 years after an injection. They are characterised by invasive local growth in the subcutis, often with spread along fascial planes. 9 Most FiSSs are fibro sarcomas, 10 but other malignancies, such as osteosarcomas, 11 chondrosarcomas, 7
Feline postvaccinal sarcoma: 20 years later
Canadian veterinary journal, 2012
Comparison of the annual prevalence of feline postvaccinal sarcomas among 11 609 feline skin mass submissions from 1992 to 2010 revealed no decrease in disease prevalence or increase in the age of affected cats in response to changes in vaccine formulation or recommended changes in feline vaccination protocols.
Feline injection-site sarcoma: Past, present and future perspectives
The Veterinary Journal, 2011
Feline injection-site sarcomas (FISS) have been known since the early 1990s. After an initial correlation with rabies and feline leukaemia virus vaccination, subsequent studies have demonstrated that an abnormal reaction of feline tissues to chronic inflammation was mainly responsible for the disease. The low incidence of FISS in the population is explained by its multifactorial aetiology, since individual genetic characteristics are also implicated. FISS is an infiltrative tumour with low metastatic potential but local recurrence is common. Multimodal treatment (extensive surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) is recommended. The use of sophisticated imaging techniques can improve diagnosis and help in surgical planning. After the initial enthusiasm in understanding the disease, only few advances have been made in the last few years. New promising therapies may arise from a better knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of FISS and the successful development of drugs modulating the immune system.