Presumed Spontaneous Astrocytoma in a Domestic Backyard Chicken.

A cerebral tumor was identified in an adult female domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus). On gross examination, the cut surface of the cerebrum revealed a poorly circumscribed, pale tan soft mass within the thalamus and midbrain. On histologic examination, there was an unencapsulated, multilobulated neoplasm composed of spindle cells on a loose fibrovascular stroma. Neoplastic cells had variably distinct cell borders, abundant fibrillar eosinophilic cytoplasm, oval nuclei with finely stippled chromatin, and 1-2 distinct nucleoli. There was moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis with <1 mitoses per 2.37 mm2. The morphologic features of the neoplastic cells were consistent with an astrocytic neoplasm. PCR was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of brain tissue, which was negative for subgroup A avian leukosis virus. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a presumed spontaneous astrocytoma.

Reporte de caso - Presunto astrocitoma espontáneo en un pollo doméstico de traspatio. Se identificó un tumor cerebral en una gallina doméstica adulta (Gallus domesticus). En el examen macroscópico, la superficie de corte del cerebro reveló una masa blanda de color canela pálido mal delimitada dentro del tálamo y el mesencéfalo. En el examen histológico, había una neoplasia multilobulada no encapsulada compuesta de células fusiformes sobre un estroma fibrovascular laxo. Las células neoplásicas tenían bordes celulares diferenciados de forma variable, abundante citoplasma eosinofílico fibrilar, núcleos ovalados con cromatina finamente punteada y 1 o 2 nucléolos distintos. Había anisocitosis moderada y anisocariosis con <1 mitosis por 2.37 mm2. Las características morfológicas de las células neoplásicas eran compatibles con una neoplasia astrocítica. Se realizó una PCR en secciones de tejido cerebral incluidas en parafina y fijadas con formalina, que resultó negativa para el virus de la leucosis aviar del subgrupo A. Con base en estos hallazgos, el tumor se diagnosticó como un presunto astrocitoma espontáneo.

Testicular Teratocarcinoma in a Ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

A 7-month-old male domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented for evaluation of unilateral testicular enlargement. Microscopic examination of the left testicle revealed a neoplasm with differentiation along multiple cell lines (ectoderm, endoderm, mesoderm) including respiratory epithelium, bone and haired skin. A poorly differentiated epithelial component was dispersed throughout the neoplasm with invasion of testicular lymphatics. The animal developed progressive dysuria and was euthanized. At necropsy, metastasis of the poorly differentiated epithelial component was present in the urinary bladder, ureters, prostate gland, pelvic fat, abdominal and thoracic lymph nodes, kidney and lung. This is the first report of a malignant testicular teratoma with widespread metastasis in this species.