Microchip-associated fibrosarcoma in a cat

none5noneAntonio Carminato;Marta Vascellari;Wendy Marchioro;Erica Melchiotti;Franco MutinelliCarminato, Antonio; Marta, Vascellari; Wendy, Marchioro; Erica, Melchiotti; Franco, Mutinell

Growth and stress evaluation in juvenile diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during smoltification.

Growth and stress evaluation in juvenile diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during smoltification

Chromogenic in situ hybridization for the diagnosis of feline herpesvirus-1 associated dermatitis

Felid herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) is a worldwide pathogen mainly responsible of upper respiratory tract infection, ocular disease and dermatitis in felids [1]. The FHV-1-associated dermatitis is a facial and nasal dermatitis commonly seen on the dorsal and lateral muzzle, nasal planum and periorbital areas. These lesions overlaps with other feline dermatoses including hypersensitivity disorders, granuloma complex and cutaneous adverse food reaction [2]. Positive FHV-1 PCR results cannot guarantee an active role of FHV-1 in development of skin lesion because of latent infection, widely spread in cats and therefore conventional PCR possess limited clinical values [3]. The aim of this study was to correlate the presence and the amounts of FHV-1 viral genomes on feline tissues, assessed by conventional and qPCR assays, to the visualization of FHV specific nuclear signal of infected cells by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). Twenty-two formalin fixed, paraffin embedded skin samples from cats with facial dermatitis were retrieved, and divided in four groups: 1) samples with a diagnosis of herpesvirus dermatitis (n=5); 2) samples with non-herpetic facial dermatitis (n=6); 3) samples with facial dermatitis of ambiguous nature (n=7); 4) samples from healthy cats (n=4). Data on conventional PCR and qPCR by the ΔΔCq method were available for all the cases. DNA extraction was performed using DNeasy Blood and Tissue kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and the extracted DNAs were amplified using specific set of primers amplifying two viral gene targets: glycoprotein B (gB) and thymidine kinase (TK). The probe synthesis was performed amplifying an 80 bp fragment of gB gene using DIG DNA labelling mixture (Roche) HotStartTaq plus PCR kit (Qiagen). CISH was performed in automation on Ventana BenchMarck ULTRA (Roche, USA). All the cases of group 1 and 2/7 of group 3 were positive by both qPCR and CISH; all samples of group 2 and 4 were negative by both methods. Some of the cases that were negative by both qPCR and CISH, scored positive to conventional PCR (2/6 group 2; 6/7 group 3; and 1/4 group 4). To the authors’ knowledge this is the first time that conventional PCR, qPCR assay by the ΔΔCq method and CISH are simultaneously applied for the diagnosis of FHV-1 associated dermatitis in cats. Both qPCR and CISH methods, resulted to be more specific than conventional PCR, and sensitive to provide a correct diagnosis for FHV-1 associated dermatitis, particularly when histological features are not conclusive

Detection and Prognostic Relevance of Circulating and Disseminated Tumour Cell in Dogs with Metastatic Mammary Carcinoma: A Pilot Study

In human breast cancer, both circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood and disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow are predictive of short survival and may be used as liquid biopsy to guide therapy. Herein we investigate, for the first time, the feasibility to quantify CTCs and DTCs in canine metastatic mammary carcinoma (MMC) with the automated CellSearch platform, which identifies tumour cells by immune-magnetic enrichment and fluorescent labelling. Using this approach before start of treatment, we could detect at least 1 CTC per 7.5 mL of peripheral blood in 12 out of 27 evaluable samples (44.4%) and at least 1 DTC per 1 mL of bone marrow in 11 out of 14 evaluable samples (78.6%). Conversely, we did not find any CTCs in the healthy, negative control dogs (n = 5) that we analysed in parallel. Interestingly, the levels of CTCs/DTCs and the prevalence of positive dogs closely resemble results obtained by CellSearch assay in metastatic breast cancer patients at diagnosis. Moreover, in the canine cohort, the presence of CTCs was significantly associated with poor outcome. These observations identify the first actionable marker in veterinarian oncology to guide treatment of canine MMC. Furthermore, our findings have important implications for human research, since it reinforce the value of canine MMC as model useful to speed up pharmacological studies with primary endpoint of overall survival, given the reduced life-span of the canine species

Clinicopathologic features and biologic behavior of canine splenic nodules with stromal, histiocytic and lymphoid components

The term fibrohistiocytic nodule has been discouraged in favor of specific pathologic entities, including complex nodular hyperplasia, splenic stromal sarcoma and histiocytic sarcoma. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of splenic lesions with mixed stromal, histiocytic and lymphoid components still remains a challenge due to lack of straightforward histologic criteria. Misestimation of the biologic behavior of these lesions may lead to detrimental consequences on the clinical management of patients. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the clinicopathologic features and outcome of canine splenic nodular lesions with mixed components, to identify prognostic factors and histologic criteria of malignancy. Thirty-seven cases were included. Immunohistochemistry did not allow for further subclassification. Nine (24.3%) dogs died from disease-related causes after a median of 234 days (range, 48-1,247). One-, 2- and 3-year disease-specific survival rates were 80, 60, and 43%, respectively. When considering nodules with stromal cell atypia and at least one of mitotic count >= 9, presence of karyomegaly/multinucleated cells and lymphoid component <40%, half of these dogs died of disease-related causes with a median disease-specific survival time of 548 days (95% CI, 0-1216). In the remaining dogs, no disease-related death was reported (P < 0.001). Canine splenic nodular lesions with mixed stromal, histiocytic and lymphoid components and histologic criteria of malignancy may behave aggressively, leading to distant metastasis and death. In the absence of further criteria aiding their classification, and to better characterize their biologic behavior, we encourage the distinction of these complex splenic tumors from conventional sarcomas and histiocytic sarcomas

PrPSc in Salivary Glands of Scrapie-Affected Sheep▿

The salivary glands of scrapie-affected sheep and healthy controls were investigated for the presence of the pathological prion protein (PrPSc). PrPSc was detected in major (parotid and mandibular) and minor (buccal, labial, and palatine) salivary glands of naturally and experimentally infected sheep. Using Western blotting, the PrPSc concentration in glands was estimated to be 0.02 to 0.005% of that in brain. Immunohistochemistry revealed intracellular depositions of PrPSc in ductal and acinar epithelia and occasional labeling in the lumina of salivary ducts. The presence of PrPSc in salivary glands highlights the possible role of saliva in the horizontal transmission of scrapie