Granulomatous inflammation cat

A granulomatous inflammation occurs when the body, for example, cannot properly clear up an infection or a corpus alienum (foreign body). A well-known example of this is a tubercle (TBC) in an infection with mycobacteria. Then there grows a kind of chronic inflammation with accumulation of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leucocytes, macrophages, epithelioid cells and giant cells (large erratic cells with multiple nuclei). You can also find lymphocytes and plasma cells in it.

In this case, there are many macrophages present in the sample (see the surrounded area on the photo as an example). Macrophages - which originate from monocytes - are one of five different types of white blood cells (leukocytes), which play an important role in the functioning of the immune system. A macrophage is a round or oval cell with a diameter of 12 to 20 microns and is therefore larger than a red blood cell.

In chronic granulomatous inflammation granuloma often occur. A granuloma - a type of thickness or lump - is an accumulation of the cells. It occurs when the immune system cannot properly clean up inflammation.

With thanks to Cees Koopman, veterinarian.