Metastasis of bile ductule carcinoma in a cow

An 8-year-old Holstein cow was referred with a history of weight loss, poor milk production, and hyperfibrinoginemia. Laboratory evaluation showed high gamma-glutamyltransferase activity, prolonged sulfobromophthalein clearance half-time, and prolonged prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times. Multiple firm nodules with histologic evidence of bile ductule carcinoma were found on exploratory laparotomy and liver biopsy. Pulmonary and lymph node tumor metastases were extensive. Tumor development in this case could not be associated with any of the known contributing factors in ruminants. This case demonstrates the extensive metastatic potential of this tumor and nonspecific signs with which bovine hepatic disease can be manifested.     

Hepatobiliary neuroendocrine carcinoma in cats: a clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of 17 cases

Hepatobiliary neuroendocrine carcinoma was diagnosed in 17 cats in a period of 10 years. Seven tumors were of intrahepatic origin, one of which was a composite containing components of epithelial and neuroendocrine carcinoma. Nine tumors were of extrahepatic origin, and one tumor was located in the gall-bladder. The cats were adult and geriatric, and the male : female ratio varied according to tumor group. Hepatomegaly, anorexia, weight loss, and vomiting were the most common clinical signs observed in the cats with hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma. The cats with extrahepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma showed these signs plus icterus (5/9) and high concentrations of hepatic enzymes. Histologically, the hepatic neuroendocrine carcinomas had two patterns, one with acinar structures separated by vascular stroma lined by cuboidal or columnar cells and the other solid with groups of anaplastic cells separated by vascular stroma. The composite tumor consisted of both bile duct carcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma. The extrahepatic neuroendocrine carcinomas and the gallbladder neuroendocrine carcinoma were characterized by solid sheets or groups of round to oval cells with vascular or fibrovascular stroma. Immunohistochemical examination of 10 of the neuroendocrine carcinomas revealed that all 10 stained with neuron-specific enolase; one bile duct carcinoma and the gallbladder carcinoma stained with chromogranin; four of five bile duct carcinomas and the gall bladder carcinoma stained with synaptophysin; and one bile duct carcinoma stained with gastrin. One cat with hepatic carcinoma had duodenal ulcer; in this cat, ultrastructural studies showed neurosecretory granules leading to the diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In four cats in which necropsy was permitted, carcinomatosis (4/4), lymph nodes (4/4), lungs (2/4), and intestines (1/4) were the metastatic sites. Fourteen of the 17 cats were euthanatized during or immediately after surgery.     

Epitheliotropic lymphoma in a captive bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus).

A 16-yr-old, female, captive-bred bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus) estimated to be 75 kg, was presented with a 1-mo history of chronic diarrhea and weight loss. A cause for the deteriorating condition was not found antemortem, and the bontebok was humanely euthanatized when it failed to respond to empirical therapy. On necropsy, numerous nodules were present on the pleural surfaces and within the lung parenchyma, the pancreas appeared inflamed and fibrotic. Histologic examination revealed lymphoma in the mesenteric lymph nodes, alimentary tract, reproductive tract, and liver. In the small and large intestine, rumen, esophagus, bile duct, and vagina, the neoplastic cells had a tropism for epithelium. The neoplastic cells within the epithelium and subepithelium of the alimentary tract stained positively for CD3, consistent with T cell differentiation.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF EXTRAHEPATIC BILIARY OBSTRUCTION IN 30 CATS

The goals of our study were to review the ultrasonographic features of spontaneous extrahepatic biliary obstruction in cats and to determine whether these features can assist in differentiating tumor, inflammation, and choleliths as the cause of obstruction. Thirty cats with a presurgical ultrasound examination an dconfirmed extrahepatic biliary obstruction were studied. A common bile duct diameter over 5 mm was present in 97% of the cats with extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Gallbladder dilation was seen in < 50% of the cats. Ultrasound identified all obstructive choleliths (calculus or plugs) in the common bile duct. However, neither common bile duct diameter nor appearance or any other ultrasonographic feature allowed differentiation between tumor and inflammation as the cause of obstruction. A short duration of clinical signs (10 days or less) seemed to be associated with obstructive cholelithiasis.     

Cellular proliferation of bile ductules and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase in livers and sera of young cattle following a single infection with Fasciola hepatica

Summary

During the course of experimental single infection with Fasciola hepatica in calves, the origin of the increased concentration of gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GT) found to be present in the serum during the biliary stage of the disease, was studied.

The enzyme originates from the liver after flukes have caused intermittent and selective cholestasis in the bile‐duct system. The enzyme which normally is present in the bile ducts can under these circumstances enter the surrounding interstitial tissues through broken‐up junctions of the bile drainage system or be added to these from proliferating bile‐ductule epithelium. The multiplication of bile‐ductule cells can be looked upon as a neogenesis of cholangioles, which becomes essential when newly formed perilobular connective tissues prevent restoration of the anatomical connections of the bile capillaries with the biliary tree. The connective tissue growth is induced by bile fluid. An initially regional perilobular fibrosis is eventually distributed diffusely through the liver by migration of flukes.

The continued and extending fibrosis is due to the constant recurrence of intermittent and selective cholestasis. The transient occlusions of branches of the bile ducts are very likely to be attributable to persistent cholangitis. The growth of connective tissues has a considerable effect on the gain in weight of the liver.     

1株肾型鸡传染性支气管炎病毒的鉴定

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(IBV)具有不同致病特性,将IBV XDC-2株接种9日龄SPF鸡胚培养,可引起鸡胚死亡和出现侏儒胚,病毒EID50达5×10-5.33/mL。将IBV XDC-2株接种18日龄SPF鸡,饲养观察14 d,病鸡临床症状表现为:精神沉郁,羽毛凌乱,双翅下垂,轻微腹泻,多数拉白色水样稀粪。病死鸡出现肾肿大、呈花斑状、大量尿酸盐沉积。鸡发病率为100%,死亡率为25%。死亡鸡肺脏、肾组织制作组织切片,发现病理变化明显,主要为:肾小管扩张,上皮细胞呈玻璃样变性,部分管腔内可见坏死脱落之上皮细胞,于肾间质可见大量单核细胞浸润,肾间质有充血、出血现象;肺内动脉、毛细血管充血,淋巴细胞浸润。死亡鸡肺脏、肾组织接种鸡胚分离病毒,RT-PCR检测结果为阳性,表明该分离株为鸡传染性支气管炎病毒,具有很强的嗜肾性。     

一例猫卵巢恶性颗粒细胞瘤的病理学分析

本文报道猫伴发腹腔种植性转移的卵巢恶性颗粒细胞瘤1例,较为罕见,国内外文献未见报道。1例15岁雌性家猫,因不食和腹围增大就诊。超声检查显示,左肾尾侧可见一大小约4.27 cm×2.63 cm的肿物。开腹探查,可见大网膜、肠壁及胃壁弥散性分布大量大小不等的球形肿物,左侧卵巢明显增大,表面形成坚实或柔软的结节。对肿物进行组织病理学检查,诊断为卵巢恶性颗粒细胞瘤。本文提供该病例临床和组织病理学资料,并回顾相关文献资料,希望对该肿瘤的诊疗和研究提供帮助。     

ACUTE DIFFUSE MYCOTIC PNEUMONIA IN A 7-MONTH-OLD COLT

A 7-month-old Quarter horse colt developed acute diarrhea, laminitis, bilateral uveitis, and severe respiratory distress after intramuscular injection with a bacterial vaccine. Thoracic radiographs revealed diffuse unstructured, nodular interstitial, and peribronchial opacities throughout the lung. Despite intensive supportive therapy, the colt became progressively hypoxemic and died. At postmortem examination, severe multifocal to coalescing hemorrhagic, necrotizing fibrinous pneumonia was found. Histologic study revealed numerous branched septate fungal hyphae diffusely distributed throughout the lung parenchyma. Fungal culture of lung tissue grew Aspergillus fumigatus. This report presents the radiographic, clinical, and pathologic features of acute mycotic pneumonia in horses.     

METASTATIC GRANULOSA CELL TUMOR IN A MANGROVE SNAKE (BOIGA DENDROPHILA MELANOTA)

A 12-year-old, female mangrove snake (Boiga dendrophila melanota) was presented with a 1-month history of anorexia, lethargy, and progressive distention of the caudal coelomic cavity. Based on ultrasonographic and cytological examination, an ovarian neoplasia was considered to be the presumptive antemortem diagnosis. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a granulosa cell tumor (GCT) with metastatic tumors in the coelomic fat bodies. Four months following oophorectomy and surgical removal of the distant metastasis, the snake was euthanized because of sudden onset of lethargy, cardiomegaly, and dyspnea. Postmortem examination revealed the presence of metastatic tumors in the lung, liver, and kidneys. Primary ovarian neoplasms are relatively rare in reptiles. Although GCTs have been documented in snakes, definitive diagnosis is typically determined through postmortem histopathological examination. The present case describes a suitable antemortem diagnostic approach of a malignant GCT in a mangrove snake with distant metastases.     

Ovarian adenocarcinoma with metastases in a white rhinoceros

A 36-y-old white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) was presented with respiratory distress, sanguineous vaginal exudate, and anorexia. The clinical signs progressed over 40 d, and the rhinoceros died. Autopsy revealed significant ascites; a unilateral, 12.5-cm diameter, polypoid mass in the left ovary; a white, firm transmural mass in the right uterine horn; a white, friable mass in the lung; and white-to-tan, friable small nodules in the diaphragm. Histologic examination revealed similar neoplastic cells in the masses in all 4 locations, composed predominantly of epithelial cells proliferating in a tubulopapillary pattern with significant nuclear atypia and numerous atypical mitotic figures (18–42 per 2.37 mm²). Immunohistochemistry for CK7 (cytokeratin 7) and CK20 (cytokeratin 20) suggest that the ovarian, pulmonary, and diaphragmatic lesions were of ovarian origin and that the ovary was the primary tumor site.     

Cytologic and immunohistochemical characterization of a lung carcinoid in a dog

An 11-year-old neutered male Yorkshire Terrier was presented to the Haemaru Referral Animal Hospital with a history of unresponsive tracheal collapse and an incidental finding of a lung nodule in the left caudal lung lobe on radiography. Thorough physical examination and imaging studies revealed no other masses. Cytologic examination of C-arm mobile fluoroscopy-guided fine-needle aspirates revealed numerous free nuclei and a low number of small round cells with moderate to abundant pale basophilic cytoplasm. Some cells contained indistinct basophilic granules in their cytoplasm, and extracellular pink material was noted. A caudal lung lobectomy was performed, and histologic evaluation of the mass revealed round to polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and round nuclei with mild anisokaryosis and 0-3 mitotic figures per high-power field. Cells were arranged in packets separated by fine fibrovascular stroma, suggestive of a pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasm, specifically a carcinoma/carcinoid. The cells were immunoreactive for chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase, and negative for cytokeratin, synaptophysin, calcitonin, thyroglobulin, parathyroid hormone, CD79a, light lambda, and vimentin. With these findings the tumor was diagnosed as a primary lung carcinoid. Eleven months after resection, there was no evidence of tumor regrowth or metastasis. The absence of necrosis, few mitotic figures, minimal pleomorphism, and benign behavior of this tumor resembled those of a typical carcinoid in humans.     

Listeria monocytogenes septicemia in a Thoroughbred foal.

Listeria monocytogenes septicemia was diagnosed in a 6-day-old Thoroughbred foal. Primary clinical signs included fever, depression, diarrhea, and respiratory distress. Hematologic abnormalities included leukopenia, neutropenia, degenerative left shift, and hyperfibrinogenemia. Clinical chemistry and blood gas abnormalities included metabolic acidosis, hypoxemia, hypocapnia, hypoglycemia, and hyponatremia. Despite aggressive therapeutic intervention and intensive care, the foal died within 12 hours of admission. A postmortem examination was performed, and the primary gross lesion was bilaterally severe, focally extensive bronchopneumonia. Histopathology revealed severe subacute multifocal suppurative bronchopneumonia with necrotizing vasculitis and intralesional coccobacilli. Cultures of blood collected at admission and immediately prior to death were positive for L. monocytogenes, as were cultures obtained from lung and liver at necropsy. Immunohistochemical examination of formalin-fixed tissues revealed abundant intra- and extracellular L. monocytogenes antigen within the lung and intravascularly in multiple organs.     

Circumcaval ureter in two ferrets

BackgroundCircumcaval ureter is an anomaly in the development of the caudal vena cava, rarely reported in ferrets.Materials and methodsInclusion criteria for ferrets were circumcaval ureter confirmed on surgery or post-mortem examination. Data collection of ferrets with circumcaval ureters presented between January 2014 and January 2021 included signalment, medical history, clinical signs, laboratory diagnostics, diagnostic imaging results, treatments, and clinical outcomes.ResultsTwo ferrets met the inclusion criteria. One presented following diarrhea, and one was found on routine examination that revealed a right nephromegaly. Abdominal ultrasound revealed severe unilateral hydronephrosis associated with hydroureter in both ferrets. No obvious cause of obstruction was identified. Biochemical results were unremarkable in both patients. Hydronephrosis was investigated through CT scans, revealing Type 1 circumcaval ureter in both ferrets. Section and relocation of the right ureter by uretero-vesical anastomosis was performed in one ferret. This ferret died 48 hours later following a nephrectomy performed due to persistent hydronephrosis. The second cas underwent right nephrectomy andd ureter resection due to severe hydronephrosis and stenosis of the circuncaval segment. This ferret has remained healthy on followup with no abnormalities found in biochemistries or ultrasound examination.Conclusion and case relevanceFindings suggest that circumcaval ureter should be suspected in ferrets with unilateral hydronephrosis and associated hydroureter without any identified cause of obstruction on abdominal ultrasonography. It should be confirmed with CT scan and/or urography and treated surgically.     

ACUTE AFLATOXICOSIS IN CALVES FED PEANUT HAY

SUMMARY Acute aflatoxicosis was believed to be the cause of death of 12 of 90 drought-stricken Hereford calves fed peanut hay on the southern Darling Downs in Queensland. Jaundice, photosensitisation, diarrhoea, anorexia and depression were seen before death. Serum levels of enzymes of hepatic origin and bilirubin were elevated. After death haemorrhage, hepatocyte damage, bile ductule proliferation were found. Total aflatoxin levels up to 2230 μg/kg were detected in the peanut hay with most toxin concentrated in nut-in-shell.     

Ovarian Fibrothecoma in an Arabian Mare: A Rare Case

The occurrence of ovarian tumors is uncommon in domestic animals. Reports are documented more often in the bitch, mare, and cow. In the mare, granulosa-thecal cell tumor is the most common ovarian neoplasms, and other tumors occur less often. Fibrothecoma is a rare gonadal-stromal tumor of the ovary. There is only one reported case in the veterinary literature. This tumor consists of theca cells and fibrous tissues. The present study describes a rare case of fibrothecoma in a 10-year-old Arabian mare that was presented due to infertility problems. The abnormal left ovary was detected via rectal palpation and ultrasonography. Postoperation study showed a solid tumoral mass that completely replaced the normal ovarian tissues. The tumor was large, firm in consistency, with smooth surface. On the cut surface, the mass was white-gray to yellow with cystic areas containing green gelatinous materials. Microscopic examination revealed the structure was composed of fibroblastic cell producing collagen fibers and theca cells containing lipids. Based on histopathologic features, diagnosis of fibrothecoma was confirmed postoperatively.     

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasopharynx in a dog

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasopharynx was diagnosed in a 9-year-old male Golden Retriever. The mass was identified by computed tomography of the nasal cavity and nasopharyngoscopy, and it was surgically excised. Histologic, cytochemical, and electromicroscopic examination of specimens confirmed the type of tumor. The dog was clincally improved for 150 days but was then reexamined because of respiratory difficulty and poor appetite. Thoracic radiographs revealed multiple nodules in all lung lobes, and ultrasonography revealed a mass in the spleen. The dog died the next day.     

Adrenocortical carcinoma in a donkey

An adrenocortical carcinoma was found in an eight-year-old male donkey. The main clinical feature was severe depression and inappetence. The animal died 24 hours after hospitalization. Necropsy revealed a large tumor around the anterior pole of the left kidney and metastases to liver, heart and lung. Fibrous adhesions were seen between the tumor and the intestinal serosa. The abdominal cavity contained a large amount of red-brown fluid.     

Metastatic pancreatic polypeptide‐secreting islet cell tumor in a dog

Abstract: A 14‐year‐old female spayed Golden Retriever was presented to the University of Florida's Veterinary Medical Center with history of lymphoplasmacytic gastroenteritis, intermittent vomiting, watery diarrhea, and weight loss for over a year. CBC, biochemical profile, and urinalysis were within reference intervals. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination revealed mesenteric and jejunal lymphadenopathy and hyperechoic hepatic nodules. Cytologic examination of the enlarged lymph nodes revealed loosely cohesive cells with moderate nuclear pleomorphism and rare punctate eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules. The cytologic interpretation was metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasia. On surgical exploration, a mass was detected in the right lobe of the pancreas. Histologic evaluation determined the mass to be an islet cell tumor. Approximately 98% of cells were positive by immunolabeling for pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and only rare cells were positive for insulin or somatostatin. All cells were negative for glucagon, gastrin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, protein gene product 9.5, synaptophysin, and chromogranins A and B. Pancreatic tumors that primarily produce PP are rare in dogs, and this is the first report of both the cytologic and histologic features of an islet cell tumor predominantly secreting PP. Clinical signs for these tumors are typically absent or nonspecific; signs may include watery diarrhea, as noted in this dog, although the diarrhea may have resulted from lymphoplasmacytic gastroenteritis. Additional case studies are needed to further characterize the cytomorphologic features and clinical presentation of PP‐secreting islet cell tumor, or polypeptidoma, in dogs.     

Biliary cystadenoma in a Maltese dog: clinical and diagnostic findings

A 14-year-old Maltese dog presented for complete medical examination due to intermittent vomiting and diarrhea observed during the previous two days. A single, solitary, lobulated cystic mass was observed in the liver upon ultrasonographic and computed tomographic examination. After surgical hepatic resection to remove the mass, histological examination revealed a multilocular cyst lined by cuboidal to columnar epithelial cells, which is consistent with biliary cystadenoma. Here, we report the clinical, clinicopathological, histopathological, and diagnostic imaging findings of biliary cystadenoma in a dog.     

Estriolum Treatment in the Bitch: A Risk for Uterine Infection?

Purulent vaginal discharge in a bitch in which ovariohysterectomy has been performed is often caused by inflammation of the uterine stump. The inflammation is due to either cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) induced primarily by progesterone from remnant ovarian tissue or exogenous progestagens, or it is due to the presence of unabsorbed suture material. This report describes a 9-year-old Irish setter with hemopurulent vaginal discharge and non-pruritic symmetrical alopecia, which had undergone ovariohysterectomy 3.5 years ago and which had been treated with estriolum daily for the past 2.5 years because of urinary incontinence. Vaginoscopy revealed hemopurulent discharge throughout the vagina and vestibule. Cytological examination of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies of a large mass in the hypogastricum, which appeared to be the uterine cervical stump, revealed septic purulent inflammation. The concentration of plasma progesterone was low and the concentration of plasma 17-ß oestradiol did not increase after gonadotrophin-releasing hormone administration. No remnant ovarian tissue was found by abdominal ultrasonography, laparotomy, or histological examination of mesovarian pedicles. Laparotomy revealed uterine stump empyema. Histological examination of the surgically removed mass excluded both CEH and unabsorbed suture material as the cause of the stump empyema. Instead, it is hypothesized that the long-term treatment with estriolum was a causative factor. This suggests that bitches treated with estriolum should be examined regularly.