(redirected from cat leprosy)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to cat leprosy: feline leprosy


any method that produces images of single tissue planes. In conventional radiology, tomographic images (body section radiographs) are produced by motion of the x-ray tube and film or by motion of the patient that blurs the image except in a single plane. In reconstruction tomography (CT and PET) the image is produced by a computer program.
computed tomography (CT) (computerized axial tomography (CAT)) a radiologic imaging modality that uses computer processing to generate an image (CAT scan) of the tissue density in a “slice” as thin as 1 to 10 mm in thickness through the patient's body. These images are spaced at intervals of 0.5 to 1 cm. Cross-sectional anatomy can be reconstructed in several planes without exposing the patient to additional radiation.

Since its introduction in 1972, the use of this modality has grown rapidly. Because it is noninvasive and has high contrast resolution, it has replaced some radiographic procedures using contrast media. It also has a better spatial resolution than scintillation imaging (about 1 mm for CAT compared to 15 mm for a scintillation camera).

A CAT scan is divided into a square matrix of pixels (picture elements). The newer CAT scanners use a high resolution matrix with 256 × 256 or 512 × 512 pixels. The region of the tissue slice corresponding to a pixel has a cross-sectional area of 1 × 1 mm to 2 × 2 mm; because of the thickness of the slice, it has a finite height and is therefore referred to as a voxel (volume element).

The actual measurements made by the scanner are the x-ray attenuations along thousands of rays traversing the slice at all angles. The attenuation value for a ray is the sum of the values for all of the voxels it passes through. A computer program called a reconstruction algorithm can solve the problem of assigning attenuation values for all the pixels that add up to the measured values along each ray.

The attenuation values are converted to CAT numbers by subtracting the attenuation value of water and multiplying by an arbitrary coefficient to produce values ranging from −1000 for air to +1000 for compact bone with water as 0. CT numbers are sometimes expressed in Hounsfield units, named after Godfrey Hounsfield, the inventor of the CT scanner; Hounsfield and Allan Cormack were co-winners of the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1979 for the development of computerized axial tomography.
Computed tomography. Relative position of the x-ray tube, patient, and detectors in a fourth generation CT unit.
electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) ultrafast computed tomography done with a scanner in which the patient is surrounded by a large circular anode that emits x-rays as the electron beam is guided around it.
extended narrow tomography tomography involving an increase in amplitude and increase in exposure angle resulting in greater thinness of the cut for examination.
linear tomography tomography in which the tube and film move in the same direction.
narrow angle tomography a type of tomography that results in thicker sections for examination.
pluridirectional tomography tomography in which there is a great deal of movement in a variety of directions.
positron emission tomography (PET) a combination of computed tomography and scintillation scanning. Natural biochemical substances or drugs tagged with a positron-emitting radioisotope are administered to the subject by injection; the tagged substance (tracer) then becomes localized in specific tissues like its natural analogue. When the isotope decays, it emits a positron, which then annihilates with an electron of a nearby atom, producing two 511 keV gamma rays traveling in opposite directions 180 degrees apart. When the gamma rays trigger a ring of detectors around the subject, the line between the detectors on which the decay occurred is stored in the computer. A computer program (reconstruction algorithm), like those used in computed tomography, produces an image of the distribution of the tracer in the plane of the detector ring.

Most of the isotopes used in PET scanning have a half-life of only 2 to 10 minutes. Therefore, they must be produced by an on-site cyclotron and attached chemically to the tracer and used within minutes. Because of the expense of the scanner and cyclotron, PET is used only in research centers. However, PET is important because it provides information that cannot be obtained by other means. By labeling the blood with 11C-carbon monoxide, which binds to hemoglobin, images can be obtained showing the regional perfusion of an organ in multiple planes. By using labeled metabolites, images can be obtained showing metabolic activity of an organ. 15O-oxygen and 11C-glucose have been used for brain imaging and 11C-palmitate for heart imaging. 81Rb, which is distributed like potassium, is also used for heart imaging. By using labeled neurotransmitters, hormones, and drugs the distribution of receptors for these substances in the brain and other organs can be mapped.
single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) a type of tomography in which gamma photon–emitting radionuclides are administered to patients and then detected by one or more gamma cameras rotated around the patient. From the series of two-dimensional images produced, a three-dimensional image can be created by computer reconstruction. The technique improves resolution of, and decreases interference by, overlapping organs. It is used particularly for assessment of cardiac disease, stroke, and liver disease; for staging of cancer; and to diagnose physical abnormalities through evaluation of function.
ultrasonic tomography the ultrasonographic visualization of a cross-section of a predetermined plane of the body; see B-mode ultrasonography.


Abbreviation for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase; obsolete abbreviation for computerized axial tomography (CT).


computerized axial tomography.


1. clear-air turbulence
2. computerized axial tomography


a. A small domesticated carnivorous mammal (Felis catus), kept as a pet and as catcher of vermin, and existing in a variety of breeds.
b. Any of various other carnivorous mammals of the family Felidae, including the lion, tiger, leopard, and lynx.
c. The fur of a domestic cat.


abbreviation for computerized axial tomography. See computed tomography.


A gene on chromosome 11p13 that encodes catalase, an enzyme which plays a central role in the body’s defence against oxidative stress, converting the reactive oxygen species hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to water and oxygen, thereby mitigating H2O2’s toxic effects.

Molecular pathology
Defects in CAT cause acatalasemia. Oxidative stress may play a role in the development of chronic or late-onset diseases—e.g., diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.


1. Catalase.
2. Catalyst.
3. Catecholamine.
4. Chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, a 'reporter' gene.
5. Choline acetyl transferase.
6. Cholesterol acyl transferase.
7. Computerized axial tomography, see there.


Felis catus A mammal of medical interest that is a model for some human diseases, eg, dermatosparasix, and a vector for bacteria, fungi, and parasites
Cats, impact on medicine
Model systems
-human diseases, eg dermatosparasix, a defect in converting type I procollagen to collagen; mannosidosis–affects shorthair cats; Niemann-Pick disease, type I–affects Siamese cats
Vectors for disease
  • Bacteria Bartonella (Rochalimaea) henselae, Bergeyella (Weeksella) zoohelcum, Brucella suis—anthrax, Campylobacter jejuni, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, CDC group NO-1, Chlamydia psittaci–feline strain, Dipylidium caninum, Francisella tularensis, Neisseria canis, Pasteurella multocida, Q-fever, Rickettsia felis, salmonellosis, Yersinia pestis–plague, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
  • Fungi, eg Microsporum canis–dermatophytosis, Sporothrix schenckii
  • Parasites, eg Ancylostoma braziliense, A caninum, Brugia pahangi*, Clonorchis sinensis, Cryptosporidium, cutaneous larva migrans, Dipylidium caninum, Dracunculiasis medinensis*, Echinococcus vogeli, E multilocularis, Gnathostoma spinigerum, Isospora belli, Leptospira spp–leptospirosis, Opistorchis felineus, Sarcoptes scabiei–scabies, Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi*, Trichinosis, visceral larva migrans, Wuchereria bancrofti. See Cat scratch disease
  • .
  • Viruses Cowpox, poxvirus, rabies
Some individuals are highly allergic to cats, which is attributed to the Fel dl antigen, see there
*Parasites that have part of their life cycle in humans


Abbreviation for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase;
[obsolete] computed axial tomography.



computed axial tomography

Abbreviation: CAT
See: computed tomography

computed tomography

Abbreviation: CT



computerized axial tomography

Abbreviation: CAT
See: computed tomography

electrical impedance tomography


electron-beam tomography

Ultrafast computed tomography

full body computed tomography

Abbreviation: FBCT



Heidelberg retinal tomography

Abbreviation: HRT

helical computed tomography

Synonym: spiral computed tomography

optical coherence tomography

Abbreviation: OCT

panoramic tomography

Enlarge picture
Enlarge picture

positron emission tomography

Abbreviation: PET



quantitative computed tomography

Abbreviation: QCT

single photon emission computed tomography

Abbreviation: SPET, SPECT
A medical imaging method for reconstructing sectional images of radiotracer distributions.
See: nuclear medicine scanning test; positron emission tomography

spiral computed tomography

Helical computed tomography.

ultrafast computed tomography


xenon-enhanced computed tomography



Abbrev. for computerized axial tomography (CT SCANNING).


Computed tomography, a radiologic imaging that uses computer processing to generate an image of tissue density in slices through the patient's body.
Mentioned in: Histiocytosis X


computerized axial tomography. See computed tomography.


any member of the family Felidae, including the domestic cat, Felis catus, and many exotic (here taken to mean nondomestic or zoological, rather than extraterritorial) species. See also feline.

cat-bite abscess
a common sequela to a frequent injury. Particularly during the mating season, but also at other times, cats are likely to inflict or be subjected to bites or scratches during fighting or even vigorous play with each other. These contaminated puncture wounds, which are prone to abscessation, can be located anywhere on the body, but most often occur at the tail base, lower limbs and around the head and neck. Pasteurella spp., Prevotella spp., Porphyromonas spp., fusiform bacilli and β-hemolytic streptococci are commonly involved.
cat breeds
are generally of two groups, the longhair and shorthair types. Within these, there are numerous specific breeds whose differences may be great, in conformation, color and certain distinctive features, or slight, on the basis of coat and/or eye coloring.
The longhaired breeds, also called Persians, are of short, stocky (cobby) build with broad, short heads, small ears, large round eyes, and short, thick legs. One variety, the peke-faced, has an extremely short nose. There are some specific breed types, but in general, they are divided on the basis of coat color, sometimes qualified by pattern of pigmentation or eye color, and the list is very long. The major groups are: solid colors (black, blue-eyed white, orange-eyed white, odd-eyed white, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream), broken colors (tabbies, tortoiseshell, cream, bicolors and harlequin), shaded colors (smoke, chinchilla, silver and cameo), himalayan (1)/colorpoint (various colors). Additional longhaired breeds are the angora, birman, balinese, cymric, javanese, maine coon, oriental longhair, ragdoll and turkish van.
The shorthaired breeds include: abyssinian, american curl, bengal, bombay, british shorthair, burmese, california spangled, exotic shorthair, havana brown, korat, manx (may be longhair or shorthair), oriental (many different color groups), rex, russian blue, siamese (further divided on the basis of color in their points), singapura, somali and tonkinese.
In addition, there is the canadian hairless or Sphinx cat which is hairless.
cat fancy
a term used in reference to breeders, registration bodies, clubs and societies, and any other groups sharing a common interest in cats (cat fanciers).
cat fever
see feline panleukopenia.
cat flu
see feline viral respiratory disease complex, feline calicivirus infection, feline viral rhinotracheitis.
cat foot
in dog conformation describes a round, compact foot with tightly bunched, arched toes.
cat fur mite
see lynxacarusradovsky.
cat leprosy
a granulomatous skin infection associated with Mycobacterium lepraemurium, the rat leprosy bacillus, hence the name. Infection is commonly believed to be the result of a rat bite. Single or multiple, painless, sometimes ulcerated nodular lesions are usually located around the head or on limbs. The organisms can be seen with acid-fast stains on direct smears or in biopsy material. Where possible, surgical excision is usually curative.
cat plague
see feline panleukopenia.
pouting cat
see fat-chin.
cat pox
see cowpox.
scabby cat disease
feline miliary dermatitis.
cat scratch fever
swimming cat

Patient discussion about CAT


A. There's some info here:

To your health...





More discussions about CAT