Genetic variant in the NSDHL gene in a cat with multiple congenital lesions resembling inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevi

BACKGROUND The feline counterpart of human inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus (ILVEN) has been described; however, the possible underlying developmental defect has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE To report a case of multiple ILVEN-like lesions in a cat with a genetic variant in the NSDHL gene. ANIMALS A 2-year-old, female, domestic short hair cat with a history of multiple alopecic, verrucous, hyperpigmented and erythematous skin lesions, following Blaschko's lines on the head, the limbs, the trunk and paw pads. METHODS AND RESULTS According to the clinical and histopathological findings, a diagnosis of multiple ILVEN-like lesions was made. Genetic investigation revealed a heterozygous missense variant in the X-chromosomal NSDHL gene predicted to lead to a loss-of-function of the NSDHL protein. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of feline ILVEN-like lesions in which a genetic cause has been proposed. Future studies to establish a causal relationship between NSDHL variants and skin lesions might lead to pathogenesis-directed treatments.