Concurrent pulmonary adenocarcinoma and silicate pneumoconiosis in a red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa)

An adult red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) presented with concurrent pulmonary carcinoma and severe silicosis. The animal was submitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Córdoba (Spain) because of respiratory signs, and it died during clinical examination. At postmortem examination, numerous firm, whitish to yellowish nodules involving the lungs, mainly the right lobe, were found. The histopathologic study revealed numerous peribronchiolar large granulomatous lesions composed of macrophages, which showed abundant cytoplasm containing numerous birefringent crystals identified as silicates by transmission electron microscopy. An epithelial neoplasm showing papillary, acinar, and solid patterns occupied large areas of the pulmonary parenchyma. The histopathologic and immunohistochemical features were consistent with a pulmonary carcinoma. Small tumor nests were often located close to the granulomatous lesions. This is the first report of concurrent pneumoconiosis and pulmonary carcinoma in a nonhuman species.     

Contents of total protein, L-canavanine and condensed tannins of the one-flowered vetch (Vicia articulata Hornem.) collection of the Bank of Plant Germplasm of Cuenca (Spain)

A total of 125 accessions of one-flowered vetch (Vicia articulata Hornem.) mostly from the Iberian Peninsula have been analysed for total protein, L-canavanine and condensed tannins. It was observed a high variability in the composition: the protein content ranged from 18.20 to 30.07%, L-canavanine from 0.27 to 0.67%, and condensed tannins from 0.13 to 0.35%, which indicates a scarce domestication of the crop. The inclusion of the seeds into a diet to non-ruminants should be limited to marginal percentages because of the contents of L-canavanine and it suggests that a reduction of this compound by breeding should be encouraged. The protein and the L-canavanine contents showed a low and positive significant correlation (r = 0.55, P < 0.001), which complicates the selection of seeds having simultaneously low L-canavanine and high protein contents. On the other hand, no correlation between protein and condensed tannins or between L-canavanine and condensed tannins was observed. There was a poor relationship between the origin and the composition of the accessions and only the protein content was able to discriminate among the regions.     

Cutaneous lesions in experimental acute and subacute African swine fever: an immunohistopathological and ultrastructural study

Histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural cutaneous changes are described in acute and subacute forms of experimental African Swine Fever (ASF). Fourteen 3-month-old Large White cross pigs were infected intramuscularly with the Dominican Republic 78 (DR78) ASF virus isolate and euthanized in pairs on alternatives days (3 to 17) post-inoculation (dpi). Three pigs were found dead at 8, 10 and 13 dpi, respectively. Antibodies against viral antigen Vp73, human fibrinogen, glycoprotein IIIa and Factor VIII-ra were used to evaluate viral antigen distribution, fibrin microthrombi and platelets in dermal vessels, respectively. Cutaneous lesions were characterised by vascular changes ranging from hyperaemia, mild oedema, scarce fibrin microthrombi and microhaemorrhages in euthanized animals, to generalized fibrin microthrombosis and microhaemorrhages in dead pigs. Secondary pustules and superficial folliculitis were observed in two animals dead at 10 and 13 dpi. Diffuse cytoplasmic Vp73 labelling was found in numerous intravascular monocytes and dermal macrophages. Ultrastructural studies showed mature viral particles in the lumen of dermal vessels but viral replication was not observed; nonetheless, microtubuloreticular structures were observed in the cytoplasm of some endothelial cells and macrophages which showed cytopathic effects, signs of cell activation or degeneration. Morphological and immunohistochemical evidences of platelet activation, degranulation and consumption were observed from 5 dpi onward.     

Comparison of three monoclonal and three polyclonal antibodies in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of canine autoimmune skin diseases

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and two anticanine IgG and one anticanine IgM polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) for the immunohistochemical diagnosis of canine autoimmune skin diseases. Skin biopsies from 11 cases of pemphigus (7 foliaceus, 3 vulgaris and 1 erythematosus), 12 cases of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and 12 cases of chronic hyperplasic dermatitis were used. The CA4E7 mAb (IgG1 + IgG2) showed similar sensitivity, but higher specificity and lower background than the two anti-IgG pAbs for the immunohistochemical diagnosis of pemphigus and DLE. The CA4F1 mAb (IgG2) and CA3H1 mAb (IgG2) showed moderate and low interepithelial reactivity, respectively, in autoimmune skin diseases, but strong staining of the cytoplasm of plasma cells of the inflammatory infiltrates. These results suggest that the CA4E7 mAb may be valuable in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of such disorders.     

Retrobulbar anaplastic astrocytoma in a dog: clinicopathological and ultrasonographic features

An 11-year-old entire female German shepherd dog was presented with a progressive non-painful exophthalmos of the right eye. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a solid and well-defined orbital mass compressing the globe. Thoracic radiography revealed multiple pulmonary metastases of different sizes. The histopathological and immunohistochemical features of both the retrobulbar tumour and pulmonary metastases were consistent with an anaplastic astrocytoma. This represents an unusual case of an extracranial astrocytoma with multiple pulmonary metastases. The clinical features and the ultrasonographic, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings are described.     

A NEWLY RECOGNIZED PATTERN OF CANINE OSTEOCHONDROMATOSIS

Clinicopathological findings are described for a unique skeletal pattern of osteochondromatosis (syn. multiple osteochondromas) in three crossbred littermate dogs. Multiple nonpainful bilaterally symmetric skeletal lesions arose from focal semiannular and annular areas of periosteal thickening on the cortical surface of the metaphyses and diaphyses of long bones. Flat bones of the skull were spared. In radiographs osteochondromas in different stages of evolution were apparent. Grossly there were smoothly contoured, nodular subperiosteal masses of dense fibrocartilaginous and osseous tissue that were continuous with and overlying apparently normal but thin trabeculae of cancellous bone. Cortical compacta was attenuated or absent beneath exostoses. In histologic sections of the cartilage-capped exostoses a hyperplastic periosteum formed a focal semiannular or annular cap of proliferative hyaline cartilage tissue that underwent endochondral ossification and replacement by cancellous bone at its base. Intertrabecular spaces in the cancellous bone of exostoses were filled with fibro-osseous and hematopoietic tissue. A hereditary origin was suspected for the osteochondromas. Origin of some osteochondromas as semiannular or annular perturbations of the perichondrial ring of metaphyseal physes of long bones likely contributed to limb shortening and a pattern of billaterally symmetric angular limb deformities of all limbs as occurs in some children affected by osteochondromatosis.     

Experimental haemonchosis in goats: effects of single and multiple infections in the host response

Histopathological changes and the distribution of T lymphocytes (CD3), B cells (CD79alpha) and IgG secreting plasma cells were recorded in the abomasum and abomasal lymph nodes of goats during early and late post-infection stages with one to four doses of Haemonchus contortus L3. The infiltration of eosinophils, mast cells, CD3(+) T lymphocytes, CD79alpha(+)B cells and IgG(+) plasma cells in the abomasal mucosa increased dramatically from 10dpi onwards, whereas globule leukocytes were observed only during chronic infection. In late post-infection stages abomasal infiltration of globule leukocytes, CD3(+) T lymphocytes, CD79alpha(+)B cells and IgG(+) plasma cells was significantly higher (P<0.05) in reinfected (groups 6-8) than in primarily infected goats (group 5). In the abomasal lymph nodes, marked hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles and medullary cords, with increase of CD3(+) T lymphocytes, CD79alpha(+)B cells and IgG(+) plasma cells was recorded from 10dpi (group 3) onwards. Worm burdens and the severe abomasal response during the late post-infection stages suggests that a rapid expulsion of nematodes did not occur. The prolonged time required for generating globule leukocytes suggested that immune mechanisms dependent of this cell type are of crucial importance in the protective immunity against H. contortus in goats.