Focal acantholytic dyskeratosis

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Feline focal acantholytic dyskeratosis of the footpads. Horny lesions (arrow) ulcerate to leave circular, dark-colored pits. (Courtesy M. H. Heimann)
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Feline focal acantholytic dyskeratosis of the footpads. Horny lesions (arrow) ulcerate to leave circular, dark-colored pits. (Courtesy M. H. Heimann)
Feline focal acantholytic dyskeratosis of the footpads. Low-power histological view of acantholytic area with column of hyperkeratosis/parakeratosis. (Courtesy M.H. Heimann)
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Feline focal acantholytic dyskeratosis of the footpads. Low-power histological view of acantholytic area with column of hyperkeratosis/parakeratosis. (Courtesy M.H. Heimann)

Thought ot be a variant of feline pemphigus, focal acantholytic dyskeratotic is a rare skin disease of cats that has no seasonality, or breed or sex predilection[1].

It was originally thought to be a feline version of Darier's disease in humans (keratosis follicularis) but histopathologically is dissimilar and non-seasonal in appearance[2].

It has only rarely been reported in cats, and appears as a non-progressive verucous to cutaneous horn-like lesion of the footpads with erosions and formation of pits. Thus, it could be compared macroscopically to the footpad lesions seen commonly in canine distemper caused by the RNA virus, paramyxovirus, although the lesions are usually focal areas of acantholysis and dyskeratosis with vertical columns of parakeratosis. Histopathology of these lesions in cats reveal deposition of IgG which lends credence to the hypothesis of acantholytic dyskeratosis being a variant of feline pemphigus.

References

  1. August, JR (2006) Consultations in feline internal medicine. Vol 5. Elsevier Saunders. pp:272
  2. Ackerman, AB (1972) Focal Acantholytic Dyskeratosis. Arch Dermatol 106(5):702-706
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