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Symptoms: Infected animals become less aggressive and develop pyrexia, lethargy and
diarrhoea and develop multiorgan pathology.
Histopathology: Interstitial pneumonia with edema, neuronal degeneration and
neuronophagia, lymphoid follicular depletion in lymph nodes, splenic lymphoid follicular
atrophy, hepatic congestion and vacuolar degeneration, kidneys focal hemorrhage, small
intestine-mild focal hemorrhages.
Focal lesions: Small granulomas, mainly in the jejunal and ileal lymph nodes.
Multifocal lesions: Well-demarcated granulomas in the intestinal lymphoid tissue and
also in the intestinal lamina propria.
Diffuse: Sevre granulomatous enteritis and lymphadenitis.
Two types of diffuse lesions:
Diffuse multibacillary lesions:
There are macrophages and numerous Langhans giant cells containing many
mycobacteria, resulting in macroscopical changes in the normal gut morphology.
These changes were found from the proximal jejunum to the ileocaecal valve, but
lesions were always particularly severe in the distal jejunum.
Diffuse intermediate (multibacillary-lymphocytic): The infiltrate consisted of
lymphocytes, macrophages and Langhans giant cells, with small numbers of
mycobacteria.
Experimental Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the Ferret (J. Comp. Path. 2008,
Vol. 138, 189e196)
- Experimental Inoculation: Develop CWD when injected PrP from deer into cerebrum
but do not develop CWD if PrP given orally
-Clinical signs: Polyphagia, somnolence, piloerection, lordosis and ataxia
- Microscopic lesions: Spongiosis of neurophil in basal ganglia, thalamus, midbrain and
pons
-Exception: Perivascular PrP aggregates or plaques are absent in ferrets but present in
cervids.
Tonsillar Lymphangiomatous Polyp in an Adult Dog (J. Comp. Path. 2008, Vol. 138,
215e217)
Tonsilar tumors were reported in humans but none in animals so far.
Histopathology:
The mass was composed of many, variably dilated, thin-walled lymphatic channels filled
with pale eosinophilic fluid lacking red blood cells and embedded in a dense,
fibrovascular stroma. The dilated lymphatic channels were lined by a single layer of
flattened, discontinuous endothelium with scattered intraluminal valves.
Immunopositive for CD31 (Endothelial cell marker- Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion
Molecule-1) and von Willebrand factor (Factor VIII).
The expression of high levels of Bcl-2 and survivin play an important role in promoting
the malignant growth of canine hemangiosarcomas.
Cervical Chondroid Chordoma in a Shetland Sheep Dog (J. Comp. Path. 2008, Vol.
138, 218e223)
DDx:
Chordoma – No cartilage component
Chondroma/chondrosarcoma – cytokeratin negative
Myxosarcoma
Liposarcoma
Gross findings:
There was an extensive mass encircled the heart and obliterated the pericardial sac, with
probable metastatic spread to the epicardium.
Associated lesions:
Eosinophilic infiltration of the neoplastic mass, lamina propria of the stomach and
duodenum, interstitium of the kidney, and submucosa of the bladder was consistent with
a possible paraneoplastic eosinophilia. Paraneoplastic syndromes are the systemic
complications of neoplasia. The neoplasms sporadically associated with eosinophilia in
dogs and cats include mast cell tumours (including systemic mastocytosis), lymphoma,
pilomatrixoma, basal cell carcinoma, transitional carcinoma, fibrosarcoma,
myxosarcoma, osteosarcoma and anaplastic mammary carcinoma.
Spinal Cryptococcoma in an Immunocompetent Cat (J. Comp. Path. 2008, Vol. 139,
246e251).
Gross lesion: Focal Malacia in the spinal cord. Microscopic lesion: The yeasts were
round in shape, 7 mm in diameter and rimmed by a basophilic thin cell wall, which was
surrounded by a halo of variable thickness. Narrow-necked budding forms were also
present. The parenchymal remnants contained digestion chambers in which Gitter cells,
spheroids and myelinic debris were present.
Expression of Claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 and -7 Proteins in Benign and Malignant
Canine Mammary Gland Epithelial Tumours. Claudin proteins are important in tight
junction formation and function . Loss or reduction of expression of claudin-1, -2, -5 and
-7 may lead to cellular disorientation, detachment and invasion in canine mammary
neoplasia.
Capillary Haemangiomas of the Scrotum and Testicle in Boars. J. Comp. Path. 2008,
Vol. 139, 177e186. Scrotal hemangiomas occur frequently, but testicular hemangiomas
are rare, and they rarely occur together. The authors suggest an inherited basis since all
pigs in the study group were related and of a large white breed. The authors suggest a
UV component to the development of scrotal tumors.
Isolation of Porphyromonas levii from vaginal samples from cows in herds negative
for bovine necrotic vulvovaginitis (BNVV): This pigmented Gram negative bacterium
is part of ruminal microflora and associated with BNVV. The disease is chr by
deterioration of normal vaginal injuries caused by calving to necrotic lesions, primarily in
dairy heifers during the first week after calving. According to this paper P levii was
isolated in Heifers without BNVV.
Multiple hepatic vascular cysts in a young ragdoll cat: In cats and dogs, the DDx for
congenital intrahepatic cystic structures would include a biliary cyst or pseudocyst,
choledochal cysts or cystic duct remnants. For acquired cysts or other cavitated
structures, abscesses, parasitic cysts, biliary cyst adenoma, cystadenocarcinoma,
cholangiocarcinoma, haemangiosarcoma, and certain metastatic tumours
Cerebral Segmental Polyarteritis of Unknown Aetiology in Sheep. J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 140,
283e287. Vasculitis affecting the meningeal elastic arteries consisted of intimal proliferation,
thickening of the tunica media, perivascular accumulation of lymphocytes and plasma cells
within the tunica adventitia. There was no evidence for pestivirus antigen associated with the
lesions in these sheep. OHV-2 DNA by PCR was not found, although this may have been due to
technical problems and fresh material was not available for confirmatory studies. In addition, the
interpretation of any positive result would be difficult since many healthy sheep carry this virus.
Other ddx: Visna, polyarteritis, immune complex deposition.
Hypospadias in six dogs. Veterinary Record (2009) 164, 331-333. Hypospadias is a congenital
abnormality in which the urethral opening is in an abnormal position. In dogs there are five forms
of hypospadias; the urethral opening can be located on the ventral penile glans (glandular form),
on the penile shaft (penile form), on the scrotum (scrotal form), on the perineum (perineal form),
or in the anal area (anal form). The etiology of the abnormality is unknown. In human beings it is
postulated to result from the exposure of the fetus to high levels of progesterone, and vitamin A
deficiency during pregnancy. No involvement of teratogenic factors has been described in dogs
with hypospadias. It has been found more frequently in hermaphrodites but it can also occur as a
single abnormality. Hypospadias is frequently accompanied by other anatomical abnormalities,
such as, most frequently, cryptorchidism, underdeveloped testicles, shortening of the penis, lack
or cleft of the scrotum and the remains of the Müller’s duct.
Fatal candidiasis in a wild red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). Veterinary Record (2009) 164, 342-
343 Tongue: Hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis and necrosis of the epithelium over the dorsocaudal
third. Yeast forms were seen on the surface (PAS). Lesions also had large numbers of
blastospores and pseudohyphae extending deeper into the epithelium. The mucosal surface of the
esophagus was covered in a thick layer of necrotic cellular debris, bacteria and masses of
blastospores and developing pseudohyphae. As the pseudohyphae radiated outwards through the
submucosa, almost reaching the inner circular muscle, they were transformed into longer,
branching hyphae. The histopathological lesions of proliferative glossitis and necrotizing
oesophagitis associated with invading pseudohyphae and hyphae were consistent with a diagnosis
of candidiasis. PCR was positive for Candida albicans.
Metastasising liposarcoma of bone in a young dog. Veterinary Record (2009) 164, 372-373.
Arises from adipocyte precursors in the marrow cavity and has been observed in the long bones
or lumbar vertebrae of dogs. Extensive lysis of cortical bone was noted. In the sacral lymph
nodes, pericardium, liver, spleen and kidneys, expansive non-encapsulated tumour nodules were
found. The cytoplasmic vacuoles stained positive for fat using Sudan III staining, and for S100
protein by immunohistochemistry. Expression of vimentin was confined to well differentiated
tumour cells. Immunohistochemistry was negative for α-smooth muscle actin, desmin,
cytokeratin and CD3.
Pathological Findings in Dogs with Fatal Heatstroke. J Comp Pathol. 2009 Feb-
Apr;140(2-3):97: The most commonly observed lesions in this study of natural cases of
canine heatstroke were hyperaemia, oedema, haemorrhages (skin, lung, brain) and
necrosis (SI, renal tubular epithelium, periacinar hepatocyte necrosis and neurons) in
various organs. Pathogenesis: Strenuous exerciseshunting of blood to skin, muscles
intestinal ischemia, hypoxia and hypoperfusionintestinal mucosal necrosis
endotoxemia, endothelial injurytissue thromboplastin and factor XII coagulation and
complement cascasde systemic inflammatory response syndrome DIC (plays major
role)
Naturally infected calves with Akabane virus at neonatal age in calves were presented
with nervous signs (55 day to 15 month old). Microscopic lesions include: Cerebrum:
Perivascular cuffing of lymphocytes and macrophages and diffuse gliosis. Brain stem:
Degeneration and necrosis of neurons with vacuolation of the neuropil. Spinal cord:
Neuronal necrosis and neuronophagia in the ventral horn. (Jubb and kennedy: mineralization in the
meninges, atrophy of the cord and hydromyeleia )
Diagnosis: IHC for viral antigens and RT-PCR for viral s-gene products.
The Pathology and Pathogenesis of Bluetongue. J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 141,
1e16. Virus-genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae. Transmission- Arthropod vectors
(Culicoides), transplacental transmission is dependent on strain. Susceptible- Sheep
mostly, but serotype 8 can cause disease in Cattle, goats, and camelids. Replication-
macrophage/monocyte, endothelial cells, lymphocytes. Pathogenesis- Injury to small
blood vessels in target tissues (lung, skin) leading to thrombosis and infarction. Direct
viral induced cytolysis is also a factor. GROSS lesions- SHEEP- coronitis; subintimal
hemorrhage in the pulmonary artery; edema of the lungs, subcutis, muscles of the neck
and abdominal wall; and pericardial, pleural and abdominal effusions; haemorrhage and
ulcers in the oral cavity and upper gastrointestinal tract; necrosis of skeletal and cardiac
muscle, Fetal lesions- cavitation in the CNS, hydranencephaly, if they survive early
infection. Immunocompetence occurs in mid-gestation: CATTLE: Ulceration of muzzle,
oral mucosa, teats, interdigital necrosis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, hydranencephaly: WTD-
DIC and hemorrhage: CAMELIDS- pulmonary edema, hydrothorax and pericardial
effusion. Carnoivores- Pulmonary edema, abortion. Comparative- Orbiviruses: Horse-
African Horse Sickness; WTD- Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease virus 1 ans 2 (very
similar to BTV). DDX: Hemorrhagic dz in WTD – EHDV, BTV, Ibaraki virus, and
Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease.
Adenoviral gizzard erosions in Italian chicken flocks. Veterinary Record (2009) 164,
54-56. Gross Lesions: gizzards- erosions variable in size, brown to black colour .
Histolopath: Multifocal loss or degeneration of the cuticle of the koilin layer, ulcers or
sloughing/flattening of glandular epithelium of the gizzards, associated with heterophils,
macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Large intranuclear basophilic inclusion
bodies in the enlarged nuclei of degenerating epithelial cells . Intranuclear and
perinuclear positive immunolabelling for fAdV-1. fAV-2 is Marble Spleen Disease of
pheasants and related to Hemorrhagic enteritis of turkeys
Meningioangiomatosis associated with fibrous meningioma in a dog. Veterinary
Record (2009) 164, 756-758. MENINGIOANGIOMATOSIS is a rare benign
hamartomatous mal formation, characterised by the proliferation of
meningoendothelial cells surrounding small blood vessels, which leads to the formation
of cortical fibrotic plaques. The proliferation grows along perivascular spaces and
may compress adjacent nervous tissue.
Metastatic fibrosarcoma in a captive Saharan horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) with
high hepatic levels of cadmium. Veterinary Record (2009) 164, 690-692. Cadmium
is carcinogenic, no viruses were found in the tumors.
Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β1, -β2 and -β3 in Normal and Diseased
Canine Mitral Valves : in chronic valvular disease (endocardiosis) there is activation
and proliferation of valvular stromal cells and transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts
like cells. In mild and strong valvular disease there was increased expression of TGF- β1
and β3 and smooth muscle actin.
Systemic Candida albicans Infection in Two Alpacas (Lama pacos) Candida albican is
dimorphic fungus commensal in skin, upper respiratory tract, alimentary tract and genital
tract. Immunosuppresion or disturbance of cutaneous/mucosal barrier for invasion to take
place..Histo: suppurative to necrotizing inflammation in various organs.
Iron Distribution in the Liver and Duodenum during Seasonal Iron Overload in
Svalbard Reindeer J. Comp. Path. 2009, Vol. 141, 27e40: Seasonal iron overload in Svalbard
reindeer was studied by light and electron microscopy and by X-ray microanalysis. The
hepatic iron overload was of two types. The first type was characterized by massive
siderosis of both parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells caused by a diet very rich in
iron but low in energy and protein.
Hepatocytes contained a moderate amount of free ferritin particles in the cytosol together
with numerous siderosomes. The second type was characterized by massive non-
parenchymal (Kupffer cells) siderosis caused by an energy- and protein-poor diet with
normal iron conc. Hepatocytes contained little cytosolic ferritin and few siderosomes, but
there were abundant electron-dense bodies without iron (i.e., autophagosomes).
Primary Splenic Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour in a Dog; J Comp Path 141 vol 2-3:
splenic mass that infiltrated the mesentery and composed of spindle-shaped cells arranged in
interlacing bundles, streams, whorls and storiform patterns (Antoni A pattern) and less cellular
areas with more loosely arranged spindle to oval cells (Antoni B pattern). Cells expressed
vimentin, S-100 and GFAP, but did not express desmin, a-smooth muscle actin or factor VIII.
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Two cases of equine pregnancy loss associated with Leptospira infection in England:
Infection with Leptospira can cause abortions and stillbirths in domestic cattle, sheep and
pigs, as well as in wild animals. Reported as a cause of abortions in mares in several
countries, including the USA, Canada, South America, New Zealand, Australia and some
European countries. In both cases there was mild mononuclear infiltration in liver,
adrenal gland. Neutrophilic funisitis was seen in one case.
Black disease in a forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus): Black disease, also
known as infectious necrotic hepatitis, is caused by the α toxin released by Clostridium
novyi type B during proliferation in the liver. Described in cattle, sheep, horse and pig.
Malignant catarrhal fever in sika deer (Cervus nippon) in the UK: enlargement of
the super ficial lymph nodes and mesenteric chain. Mineralised caseous nodules1·5 cm in
diameter were present on the right cranial pleura, and segmental haemorrhagic
enteropathy in the small intestine. Histo: multisystemic granulomatous inflammatory
changes associated with lymphocytic vasculitis and fibrinoid vasculitis, most pronounced
in the brain, leptomeninges, lymph nodes, adrenal glands and liver, consistent with MC
DALES: GROSS: Severe atelectasis of cranioventral lung lobes. The thymus was not
identifiable.
HISTO: Airways filled with necrotic debris, squamous cells and occasional rod-shaped
bacteria. Adenoviral inclusions in respiratory epithelium. Candida infection of tongue.
Small intestinal cryptosporidia. Loss of villi, fibrosis, and severe mononuclear and
neutrophilic infiltration and crypt dilation, occasionally forming crypt abscesses.
Splenic follicles atrophic, lymph nodes had poor architecture and no follicular
development. Bone marrow hypoplasia.
IMMUNOHISTOLOGY: Low number CD3+ lymphocytes in the bone marrow. Poor B
cell immunostaining in lymph node follicles. There was expression of CD79A in the bone
marrow, but primarily by immature cells.
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