Factor XII deficiency is common in domestic cats and associated with two high frequency F12 mutations.

Factor XII (FXII) is a coagulation protein that initiates surface-activation of the coagulation cascade in vitro. The protein's in vivo role, however, remains poorly defined. Factor XII deficiency, or Hageman trait, is a rare hereditary disorder that is not associated with bleeding, and wide variations in FXII activity (FXII:C) exist among healthy people. While FXII-deficient knockout mice appear to be resistant to arterial thrombosis, human F12 polymorphisms that influence FXII:C have not been associated with thrombotic risk in population surveys. Factor XII deficiency is a naturally occurring hereditary trait in domestic cats. We undertook phenotypic and genotypic analyses of FXII-deficient cats for comparative studies with the human disease counterpart. A retrospective review of feline submissions to our laboratory revealed that FXII deficiency is common in domestic cats, and also present in many different breeds. The trait has a geographic bias toward the Midwestern United States. Clinical history, coagulation assays, and samples for F12 sequencing were obtained from 26 FXII deficient cats. None of the cats had experienced abnormal bleeding and their residual FXII:C was related to F12 mutation number and mutation-type. We found 2 high frequency F12 mutations: an exon 13 missense mutation (c.1631G > C) and an exon 11 deletion mutation (c.1321delC), and additional sequence variants throughout the gene. Factor XII deficiency in pet cat populations provides an animal model system to help clarify the biologic actions and clinical relevance of FXII protein.

A novel missense mutation in the factor XII gene in a litter of cats with factor XII deficiency.

The feline F12 gene was examined to identify a mutation associated with coagulation factor XII (FXII) deficiency in a litter of 6 cats, including 2 cats with severely reduced FXII activity (7.1 and 9.3%, respectively) and 4 cats with moderately reduced FXII activity (range 36.0 to 46.3%). Cats with severely reduced FXII activity were homozygous for a G to C missense mutation in exon 13 of the F12 gene, resulting in an amino acid change (p.G544A). Cats with moderately reduced FXII activity were heterozygous for this mutation. Expression studies revealed reduced secretion of p.G544A mutant FXII protein from transfected HEK293 cells compared with wild type FXII. These results reveal a novel F12 mutation in FXII deficient cats and define the underlying mechanism for low FXII activity in homozygotes.

[Hemophilia B (factor IX deficiency) with concomitant factor XII degradation in a male crossbreed cat]. / Hämophilie B (Faktor-IX-Mangel) mit begleitender Faktor-XII-Erniedrigung bei einem Mischlingskater.

A male cat suffered from a severe haemorrhagic disorder manifesting as deep, partly infected cutaneous haematomas, enhanced and prolonged bleeding after injuries and subsequent lameness at several occasions. Bleeding resulted in severe anaemia with haematocrit falling to as low as 0.10 L/L. Haemophilia B was diagnosed based on factor IX deficiency with a functional residual activity of 5% and factor IX antigen of 8%, respectively. Additionally, factor XII activity was reduced to 32% of normal. The mutation 31217G==>A in exon 8 of the factor IX gene, predicting the amino acid exchange G366R was identified as the cause of moderate factor IX deficiency. This is the first mutation identified in cats with haemophilia B. Treatment was limited to local therapy and palliation, insufficient to prevent lethal outcome due to severe anaemia.

[Applicability of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) as a screening test of milk to medium deficiencies of coagulation factors in cats]. / Eignung der aktivierten partiellen Thromboplastinzeit (aPTT) als Screeningtest für gering- bis mittelgradige Gerinnungsfaktorverminderungen bei der Katze.

The present investigation examined if the aPTT shows sufficient sensitivity for single factor activities also in cats when measured with the test optimized for humans using a commercial reagent. Comparative measurements were done with different modifications of the aPTT (sample predilution, addition of fibrinogen). Measurements of the aPTT using different methods and the activity of the coagulation factors II, V, X, VIII, IX, XI, and XII were performed in 42 healthy cats in order to determine the reference ranges. The same measurements were done on 21 cat plasmas where at least one of the coagulation factors was diminished in relation to the corresponding reference range. The conventional aPTT reflected the decrease in coagulation factor activity in each of the 21 plasmas by prolongation above the reference range (14.6-24.4 s). The test thus possesses high sensitivity and is a suitable screening test also for the cat. In contrast, in tests with sample predilution the sensitivity was lower (3-4 false negative results). This was probably caused by the distinct increase of the range of the reference values.

Factor XII and partial prekallikrein deficiencies in a dog with recurrent gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Factor XII deficiency and impaired prekallikrein activity were diagnosed in a 1-year-old Chinese Shar Pei. The dog experienced repeated episodes of intestinal hemorrhage and diarrhea. Laboratory findings were compatible with blood loss (iron deficiency anemia and hypoproteinemia). Necropsy findings suggested mild infiltrative bowel disease that could have been responsible for the dog's diarrhea, but no explanation for the severe recurrent gastrointestinal hemorrhage could be found. Factor XII deficiency is uncommon in the dog and is not associated with hemorrhagic tendencies. The factor XII deficiency in this case may have contributed to the gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

A combined deficiency of factor VIII and contact activation defect in a family of cats.

The coagulation parameters of a litter of kittens born to an obligate carrier of haemophilia A (classical haemophilia, factor VIII deficiency) are described. Three of four kittens were found to have an intrinsic coagulation defect, but only one was haemophilic. Factor XII deficiency was confirmed in one female, the other female and the dam being carriers of the defect. A confirmed haemophilic male from a previous litter was also found to be a factor XII deficient carrier.

Combined factors IX and XII deficiencies in a family of cats.

Combined factors IX and XII deficiencies were detected in a family of cats in which 2 male kittens had bleeding diathesis. The combination of factors IX and XII deficiencies in one male kitten did not appear to exacerbate bleeding when compared with a sole deficiency of factor IX in its male sibling. Neutering of carrier females and affected males was recommended. Blood transfusions before castration of affected males was advised.

Inherited coagulation disorders.

Inherited coagulation disorders have been diagnosed in many breeds of dogs as well as in mongrels and cats. This article presents the different coagulation factor deficiencies that are known to exist in small animals. A description is given of each coagulation factor along with the relevant clinical signs, inheritance, and the breeds affected. Suggestions are also given for the diagnosis and therapy of these deficiencies.

Factor XII deficiency and von Willebrand's disease in a family of miniature poodle dogs.

The simultaneous occurrence of factor XII deficiency and von Willebrand's disease (VWD) is described in a family of Miniature Poodles affected concurrently with a familial non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia. Although there was a dominant distribution of factor XII deficiency in this family of dogs, only the dogs suffering from non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia had concurrent VWD gene expression. Neither the factor XII deficient dogs nor the VWD carrier dogs displayed bleeding tendencies.

The inheritance pattern of factor XII (Hageman) deficiency in domestic cats.

Measurements of coagulation factor XII levels in F1 progeny of a cat having factor XII deficiency revealed an autosomal recessive pattern similar to that reported in humans (Hageman trait). A study of the pedigree of the colony revealed that F1 kittens had approximately 50% factor XII activity while kittens produced by backcrossing with an F1 progeny possessed an average of 50% and a less than 2% factor XII activity in an approximate 1:1 ratio. Kittens having an average of 50% factor XII activity were postulated heterozygous for the trait while progeny with less than 2% activity were considered genetically homozygous.