EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NEOPLASIA IN FERRET: 856 CASES (2000-2010)

Introduction: Ferrets are among the most common non-conventional companion animal, and are particularly prone to neoplastic diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiology of neoplasms in ferret in Italy. Materials and Methods: Cases comprised biopsy samples and postmortem specimens submitted between 2000 and 2010 at the veterinary histopathological service at University of Milan. Signalment and histopathological features were retrieved from archived reports. The total number of submitted samples was used to calculate the prevalence of neoplasms. Results: during an 11 years period 908 submissions were retrieved, 688 of which met the inclusion criteria (75,77%). Multiple neoplasms were common, consequently a total of 856 tumours were evaluated. The endocrine (63,8%), integumentary (14,7%) and the hemolymphatic systems (8,9%) were the most common affected. The age of affected ferrets ranged from 5 months to 10 years. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) were always associated with sebaceous gland neoplasms, A significant number of abdominal spindle cell tumour with unknown origin was also observed (2,6%). Angiosarcomas were more commonly located in the skin and liver, while splenic cases were not evidenced. Conclusion: The most common neoplasms diagnosed in this study paralleled the previously reported findings. Association between SCC and sebaceous gland neoplasm, and the origin of intrabdominal spindle cell neoplasm needed to be further investigated

Massive pulmonary alveolar lipoproteinosis in an English bulldog

Introduction: A 7-year-old, male English bulldog with a history of juvenile idiopathic epilepsy treated with phenobarbital and bromide developed sudden severe dyspnoea with respiratory arrest 12 h after admission. Thoracic radiographs revealed abnormal alveolar and interstitial patterns. Materials and Methods: Necropsy examination was performed and tissues were processed routinely. Sections of lung were stained by PAS, von Kossa's stain and Congo red. Selected lung samples were submitted for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: There was marked hepatomegaly with a friable consistency of the liver, mitral valve endocardiosis and pulmonary oedema with disseminated 1–8 mm umbilicated lesions in the apical, accessory and right principal lung lobes. Microscopically, alveoli (60–80%) were filled with pale eosinophilic, amorphous to granular PAS-positive, von Kossa- and Congo red-negative material associated with macrophages and neutrophils. Interstitial fibrosis and mineralization were moderate. Myocardial septal and right ventricle fatty infiltration was present. TEM revealed short lamellar 3.125 nm fascicles at 6.25 nm periodic distance and compatible with accumulation of surfactant. Conclusions: Differentials diagnoses included alveolar proteinosis, lipidosis and hyalinosis. The conjunction of lesions was suggestive of alveolar lipoproteinosis/phospholipidosis. Association with mineralization and inflammation explained the dyspnoea. The alveolar storage could have derived from chronic administration of bromide

Liposarcoma mixoide splenico primario in due cani

Nonvascular-nonlymphoid (NVNL) sarcomas represent 23-34% of canine primary splenic sarcomas. Splenic liposarcoma accounts for 2-6% of NVNL. Liposarcomas commonly raise in the subcutaneous fat and are classified in three histologic variants: differentiated, myxoid and pleomorphic. No histological subtyping has been described for splenic cases. Two dogs, a mongrel 8-year-old male and a Bouledogue 15-year-old female presented with a splenic round mass of 15 cm and a bilobed mass of 7,5 x 6 cm. On cut section both tumours had a translucent, gelatinous and mucous surface. Histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy (EM) (1 case) were performed. Histology was characterized by neoplastic cells organized in loose bundles admixed with abundant extracellular matrix. Neoplastic cells were spindle, with lightly eosinophilic cytoplasm occasionally containing sharply demarcated clear vacuoles. Mitotic index was 0,1 and 1,6, respectively. Morphology was consistent with myxosarcoma of grade II in both cases. Matrix was Alcian-Blue positive and PAS negative. Vacuoles were Oil red O positive. Neoplastic cells were vimentin positive and actin, desmin, Factor VIII, S100 negative. In one case, EM evidenced adipose cells at different maturative stages. Two months post-splenectomy the first dog was euthanized and necropsy revealed disseminated hepatic metastases and lymph node involvement. Ancillary techniques were necessary for the diagnosis of myxoid liposarcoma.[...

An Atypical Parvovirus Drives Chronic Tubulointerstitial Nephropathy and Kidney Fibrosis

© 2018 Elsevier Inc. The occurrence of a spontaneous nephropathy with intranuclear inclusions in laboratory mice has puzzled pathologists for over 4 decades, because its etiology remains elusive. The condition is more severe in immunodeficient animals, suggesting an infectious cause. Using metagenomics, we identify the causative agent as an atypical virus, termed “mouse kidney parvovirus” (MKPV), belonging to a divergent genus of Parvoviridae. MKPV was identified in animal facilities in Australia and North America, is transmitted via a fecal-oral or urinary-oral route, and is controlled by the adaptive immune system. Detailed analysis of the clinical course and histopathological features demonstrated a stepwise progression of pathology ranging from sporadic tubular inclusions to tubular degeneration and interstitial fibrosis and culminating in renal failure. In summary, we identify a widely distributed pathogen in laboratory mice and establish MKPV-induced nephropathy as a new tool for elucidating mechanisms of tubulointerstitial fibrosis that shares molecular features with chronic kidney disease in humans. A kidney parvovirus found in multiple laboratory mouse colonies causes spontaneous nephropathy and represents a new tool for studying chronic kidney disease