Canine glioma in the first year of life: 5 cases.

Most canine gliomas occur in adult and aged dogs, and reports in puppies < 12-mo-old are exceedingly rare. Here we describe the occurrence of gliomas in 5 dogs ≤ 12-mo-old. The affected patients (4 males, 1 female) were 3-12-mo-old (x̄ = 6.6-mo-old). None of the dogs were brachycephalic. Clinical signs consisted of dullness (2 cases), seizures (2 cases), vestibular signs, and deafness (1 case each). All patients were euthanized. Grossly, neoplasms were pale-tan or red, soft masses in the telencephalon (4 cases) or gelatinous leptomeningeal thickening in the brain and spinal cord (1 case). Neoplasms were classified as astrocytomas (3 cases) and oligodendrogliomas (2 cases) based on histology or histology and IHC. Our findings confirm that, while exceptionally rare, canine gliomas occur in the first year of life, and are clinically, morphologically, and immunohistochemically similar to gliomas in adult and aged dogs.

Detection of skunk adenovirus-1 in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius).

We describe gross pathology, histopathology, ultrastructure, and molecular characterization of skunk adenovirus 1 (SkAdV-1) in 3 ferrets (Mustela putorius) submitted to the Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Zoo and Exotic Animal Pathology Service at the University of Georgia. Case 1 came from a cohort with a 6-week history of multiple ferrets with respiratory disease and mortality. Cases 2 and 3 were submitted 19 days later; they died 3 days after arrival at the vendor's facility. Histopathological evaluation found evidence of suppurative bronchopneumonia, with intralesional gram-positive cocci in case 1. The others had evidence of subacute multifocal histiocytic and lymphoplasmacytic interstitial pneumonia. Viral isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequencing identified SkAdV-1 in lung tissue. In situ hybridization confirmed adenovirus within the lung lesion, and adenovirus particles were visible under an electron microscope. This is the seventh species in which SkAdV-1 has been identified. Cross-species transmission events have important implications for wildlife management and multispecies facilities.

Neuropathologic changes associated with systemic bacterial infection in 28 dogs.

Although systemic bacterial infection (SBI) is a common cause of sepsis and death in dogs, the neuropathology of canine SBI has been poorly characterized. Here we describe the neuropathologic features of SBI in a retrospective series of 28 dogs. The mean age of affected dogs was 5.5 y, and there was no sex or breed predisposition. Gross lesions in the brain were reported in 13 cases (46%) and consisted mainly of leptomeningeal hemorrhages in 10 of these cases (77%). Associated extraneural lesions included suppurative mitral valve endocarditis (12 cases; 43%) and pneumonia (10 cases; 36%). The main neurohistologic findings were neutrophilic (suppurative) and/or fibrinous meningoencephalitis with hemorrhage, vasculitis, thrombosis, and neuronal necrosis. Intralesional bacteria were observed in neutrophils or macrophages in 10 cases (77%). The putative primary site of infection was determined in 16 cases (57%) and consisted of pneumonia (6 cases; 38%), pyelonephritis (4 cases; 25%), and skin lesions (3 cases; 19%). Bacterial culture of fresh or frozen tissue samples yielded bacterial growth in 26 cases (93%), including Streptococcus canis (6 cases; 23%), Escherichia coli (4 cases; 15%), and Staphylococcus intermedius (3 cases; 12%).

Doublecortin immunolabeling and lack of neuronal nuclear protein immunolabeling in feline gliomas.

Doublecortin (DCX) and neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN) can be used as immunomarkers of neuronal progenitor cells and mature neurons, respectively. Increased DCX immunolabeling has been associated with tumor invasion in human gliomas and anaplastic canine meningiomas. These immunomarkers have not been assessed in feline gliomas. Here we characterized the DCX and NeuN immunohistochemistry (IHC) profile in 11 feline gliomas (7 oligodendrogliomas, 4 astrocytomas). Immunolabeling was classified according to intensity (weak, moderate, strong), distribution of neoplastic cell immunolabeling (1 = <30%, 2 = 30-70%, 3 = >70%), and predominant location within the neoplasm (random or at tumor margins). DCX immunolabeling was strong in 6 cases, weak in 4 cases, and moderate in 1 case. The distribution of DCX immunolabeling was characterized as 1 (4 cases), 2 (4 cases), and 3 (3 cases). DCX immunolabeling occurred predominantly in astrocytomas, which had stronger immunostaining at the tumor margins. NeuN immunolabeling was absent in all cases. Our IHC findings are similar to those reported for DCX and NeuN IHC in canine gliomas. The increased DCX immunolabeling at tumor margins is similar to labeling in invasive human gliomas and anaplastic canine meningiomas.

Neuroinflammatory diseases of the central nervous system of dogs: A retrospective study of 207 cases (2008-2019).

In this study we describe 207 cases of neuroinflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) in dogs autopsied at the Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (University of Georgia, United States) from 2008 to 2019. Idiopathic and infectious diseases were diagnosed in 111 cases (53.6%) and 96 cases (46.4%), respectively. Idiopathic diseases consisted of granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (n = 42; 37.8% of idiopathic cases), nonspecific lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalomyelitis (n = 39; 35.1%), necrotizing meningoencephalomyelitis (n = 22; 19.8%), presumed steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (n = 6; 5.4%), and necrotizing leukoencephalitis (n = 2; 1.8%). Infectious diseases consisted of bacterial infections (n = 49; 51% of infectious cases), viral infections (n = 39; 40.6%), fungal infections (n = 5; 5.2%), and parasitic infections (n = 3; 3.1%). Our study provides an overview of the most frequent neuroinflammatory diseases of the CNS of dogs in our diagnostic routine; indicates that a comprehensive diagnostic approach, including a thorough evaluation of the pathology findings and ancillary laboratory testing results, is important for an adequate diagnosis of neurologic diseases in dogs; and underscores the problems associated with the variability in tissue sample collection methods among cases. The great number of nonspecific lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis also highlights the need for development of molecular laboratory tests to identify potential infectious agents in these cases.

Maladies neuro-inflammatoires du système nerveux central du chien : étude rétrospective de 207 cas (2008­2019). Dans cette étude, nous décrivons 207 cas de maladies neuro-inflammatoires du système nerveux central (SNC) chez des chiens autopsiés au Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (University of Georgia, États-Unis) de 2008 à 2019. Des maladies idiopathiques et infectieuses ont été diagnostiquées dans 111 cas (53,6 %) et 96 cas (46,4 %), respectivement. Les maladies idiopathiques consistaient en : méningo-encéphalomyélite granulomateuse (n = 42; 37,8 % des cas idiopathiques), méningo-encéphalomyélite lymphoplasmocytaire non spécifique (n = 39; 35,1 %), méningo-encéphalomyélite nécrosante (n = 22; 19,8 %), méningite-artérite corticosensible présumée (n = 6; 5,4 %) et leucoencéphalite nécrosante (n = 2; 1,8 %). Les maladies infectieuses comprenaient des infections bactériennes (n = 49; 51 % des cas infectieux), des infections virales (n = 39; 40,6 %), des infections fongiques (n = 5; 5,2 %), et des infections parasitaires (n = 3; 3,1 %). Notre étude donne un aperçu des maladies neuro-inflammatoires du SNC des chiens les plus fréquentes dans notre routine de diagnostic; indique qu'une approche diagnostique complète, comprenant une évaluation approfondie des résultats de la pathologie et des résultats des tests de laboratoire auxiliaires, est importante pour un diagnostic adéquat des maladies neurologiques chez les chiens; et souligne les problèmes associés à la variabilité des méthodes de prélèvement d'échantillons de tissus entre les cas. Le grand nombre de méningo-encéphalites lymphoplasmocytaires non spécifiques souligne également la nécessité de développer des tests de laboratoire moléculaire pour identifier les agents infectieux potentiels dans ces cas.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Metastatic cholangiocarcinoma mimicking tuberculosis in a cow.

Here we describe a metastatic hepatic cholangiocarcinoma (cholangiocellular carcinoma) in a 14-y-old Beefmaster cow that was euthanized because of depression and progressive weight loss. Gross changes included coalescing, white-to-yellow, firm-to-hard nodules with central areas of necrosis and mineralization that effaced much of the hepatic parenchyma, omentum, mesentery, ruminal serosa, and diaphragm. A fresh sample of a hepatic nodule was submitted for a modified acid-fast (MAF) stain during autopsy to rule out tuberculosis. The MAF stain was inconclusive, and the sample was subsequently submitted for a PCR assay for Mycobacterium spp. Histologically, all nodules consisted of a neoplastic proliferation of epithelial cells surrounded by extensive areas of desmoplasia, consistent with a metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. PCR for Mycobacterium spp. was negative. Although the histologic diagnosis in our case was metastatic hepatic cholangiocarcinoma, gross changes were strikingly similar to those described in cases of tuberculosis, highlighting the need to remain vigilant in the identification of zoonotic and suspected foreign animal diseases during autopsy to protect human health.

Genomic and Pathologic Findings for Prototheca cutis Infection in Cat.

Severe nasal Prototheca cutis infection was diagnosed postmortem for an immunocompetent cat with respiratory signs. Pathologic examination and whole-genome sequencing identified this species of algae, and susceptibility testing determined antimicrobial resistance patterns. P. cutis infection should be a differential diagnosis for soft tissue infections of mammals.

Systemic Listeria monocytogenes infection and concurrent pleural mesothelioma in a cat.

Herein we describe a rare case of systemic Listeria monocytogenes infection with concurrent pleural mesothelioma in a stray cat that was found dead and submitted for autopsy. Gross pathology changes consisted of thoracic clear yellow fluid admixed with suspended fibrin strands; clear-to-tan, variably sized, <3 mm diameter pulmonary nodules; and enlargement of the submandibular, retropharyngeal, and prescapular lymph nodes. Histologic changes consisted of extensive areas of suppurative inflammation and necrosis with mineralization that partially effaced the pulmonary parenchyma and lymph nodes. Random, distinct necrotic foci were present throughout the hepatic parenchyma. Extending from the pleura, within perinecrotic alveolar spaces, and infiltrating the submandibular, retropharyngeal, and prescapular lymph nodes were dense sheets of neoplastic epithelioid cells with moderate pleomorphism and occasional karyomegaly and multinucleation. Neoplastic cells exhibited immunolabeling for pancytokeratin AE1/AE3 and vimentin, consistent with pleural mesothelioma. Aerobic bacterial culture of lung yielded heavy growth of L. monocytogenes. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for L. monocytogenes revealed clusters of bacteria in the lung, lymph node, and liver. Pathologic changes were consistent with systemic listeriosis, confirmed by bacterial culture and IHC, and concurrent pleural mesothelioma.