In vitro chemosensitivity testing of the feline large granular lymphocyte cell line (S87).

BACKGROUND: Feline large granular lymphocyte (LGL) lymphoma is an aggressive neoplasia characterised by short survival and poor response to chemotherapy. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the effect of different chemotherapeutic agents on the growth kinetics of the feline cell line S87, a non-MHC-restricted feline LGL cell line, was investigated. Where possible, IC50 (inhibitory concentration 50) values were determined. The IC50 values of the cell line as lymphoma models can provide clues to the situation in vivo and serve as a basis for studying resistance mechanisms. METHODS: Cells were incubated with various concentrations of vincristine, doxorubicin, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, prednisolone, methotrexate and L-asparaginase for 24 and 48 h, respectively. RESULTS: The IC50 values could be determined as 14.57 (7.49-28.32) µg/mL at 24 h incubation and 5.72 (4.05-8.07) µg/mL at 48 h incubation for doxorubicin and 9.12 (7.72-10.76) µg/mL at 24 h incubation and 4.53 (3.74-5.47) µg/mL at 48 h incubation for 4-hydroperpoxycyclophosphamide. Treatment with vincristine and methotrexate resulted in relatively high cell resistance whereas L-asparaginase and prednisolone treatment led to a reduction in cell number compared to control while cell viability was not affected (cytostatic effect). CONCLUSION: Overall, the feline LGL cell line S87 proves to be relatively sensitive to doxorubicin and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide and relatively resistant to treatment with vincristine, prednisolone, methotrexate and L-asparaginase. The results of this study can be used for further investigations on resistance mechanisms in feline LGL lymphoma. Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide can be interpreted as promising candidates for the therapy of feline LGL lymphomas.

[Myxosarcoma in the cervical region in a teddy bear hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)]. / Myxosarkom in der Halsregion eines Teddy-Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

This case report describes a rare case of a myxosarcoma in a 1-year-old teddy bear hamster presenting with a mass in the cervical region. The fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed high numbers of pleomorphic spindle-shaped cells found in a viscous mucinous background. The presumptive cytological diagnosis was malignant spindle cell neoplasia based on marked criteria of malignancy of the mesenchymal cell population. The abundant matrix in the background was suggestive of a myxosarcoma. The hamster died during surgery and a necropsy was performed. Histopathology was in complete agreement with the cytological report. Immunohistochemistry revealed the tumour to be vimentin positive with alcian-blue positive matrix and confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of a myxosarcoma. This case shows that fine-needle aspiration cytology can be utilized as a minimally invasive diagnostic tool in small mammals to classify mass lesions. However, so far little is known about the biological behaviour of myxosarcoma in the hamster as case descriptions are rare.

Granulation tissue-type hemangioma in a 6-week-old puppy - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hemangioma is a well-known neoplasia in veterinary and human medicine. Several subtypes have been described and are distinguished based on their histologic appearance. The classification schemes of hemangiomas in human and veterinary medicine are different, and various purpose-based schemes can be found in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A six-week-old puppy was presented that suffered from a neoplasia that extended to the musculature of the hind limb. After surgical excision, the mass was submitted for pathohistological examination. The mass was composed of endothelial cells forming vascular slits admixed with a fibrous stroma and spindle cells. Immunohistological examination was positive for factor VIII-related antigen and smooth muscle actin, supporting the diagnosis of hemangioma. CONCLUSION: The final diagnosis of granulation tissue-type hemangioma was given due to the histological appearance of the neoplasia. Granulation tissue-type hemangioma is a rare subtype of hemangioma. In this case an uncommonly young dog was affected.

Histological and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Vascular Alterations in Meninges of Cats Infected with Gurltia paralysans.

Gurltia paralysans, a metastrongyloid nematode, parasitizes in meningeal vessels in the thoracolumbar spinal cord of cats in South America and causes progressive paraparesis. Recently, the first report outside of South America described gurltiosis in a cat in Spain. As this parasitic disease has so far been largely neglected, especially outside of South America, the aim of the present case study was to add knowledge to the histologic and immunohistochemical characterization of central nervous lesions. To this purpose, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from the spinal cord and brain of five cats affected by clinical signs caused by Gurltia paralysans and of three control cats without CNS lesions were histopathologically examined using hematoxylin and eosin stain (HE), Elastica van Gieson stain, as well as periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction. Moreover, immuno- histochemistry for alpha smooth muscle actin and Factor VIII-related antigen were performed to characterize vascular lesions. Lesions were consistent with previous descriptions and were mainly located in the spinal cord and consisted of chronic suppurative or lymphoplasmahistiocytic meningi tis as well as suppurative vasculitis, congestion and varicosis of meningeal veins. In view of the recent detection of this parasite in Europe and the increasing inner-European transport of rescued domestic cats, veterinarians in Europe should be aware of the clinical and pathomorphological presentation of this disease.

Benign mixed Müllerian (duct) vaginal tumor in a 12-y-old goat.

In human and veterinary medicine, mixed Müllerian tumors (MMTs) are rarely diagnosed neoplasms of the tubular female genital tract. Although there are case reports of malignant MMTs in various species, benign MMTs have only been described once in a macaque. Here we present a case of benign MMT in a 12-y-old goat, and review the literature on uterine, cervical, and vaginal neoplasia in goats. The doe was presented with vaginal discharge and was euthanized because of the high suspicion of intraabdominal neoplasia. On gross examination, an ulcerated vaginal mass was identified. Histologically, 2 distinct cell populations were present: smooth muscle cells that were well differentiated and positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin, and ciliated columnar epithelial cells that lined ductal structures and had no signs of malignancy. These findings led to the diagnosis of neoplasia of Müllerian origin. Benign MMT should be considered as a differential diagnosis for uterine and vaginal neoplasms in goats.

Occupational Safety in Chemosensitivity Tests: A Method to Minimize the Risk of Contamination While Maximizing the Safety for the Examiner.

In vitro chemosensitivity tests are a widely used and established method in research. In laboratory environments, work safety is particularly important when working with carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic (CMR) substances. When working with cell cultures, minimizing the risk of contamination with CMR substances and protecting the experimenter must be in the foreground of the experimental setup since risk minimization and occupational safety when handling CMR substances are mandatory. To minimize any personnel risk, studies with solid CMR substances should be carried out in a closed system. However, publications on occupational health and safety in laboratory environments in which CMR substances are tested in cell cultures are rare. Therefore, this article presents an easily applicable and safe method for improving work safety for in vitro chemosensitivity tests when working with CMR substances while also taking cell culture hygiene into account. For this purpose, a risk assessment of the test design was carried out, and the steps that were decisive for safety were highlighted. Some user-friendly and easily reproducible elements are presented, which increase the occupational safety of in vitro chemosensitivity assays, especially by reducing the risk of personnel contamination.

[Therapy of bullous pemphigoid in a Warmblood gelding]. / Therapie eines bullösen Pemphigoids bei einem Warmblutwallach.

A 15-year-old Warmblood gelding was presented with multiple large, ulcerative, and crusty dermal lesions that had been existing for 4 years. Histopathology of a skin biopsy revealed cleft formation at the dermal-epidermal junction beneath the basal cells and above the basement membrane leading to the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid. Immunosuppressive therapy with dexamethasone and azathioprine was initiated and after 14 weeks full remission of the ulcers was achieved. Scar tissue formation was evident in the areas of the formerly affected lesions. Following medication tapering over a period of 5 months, long-term therapy was continued with a maintenance dose of 0.5 mg/kg azathioprine daily. The ulcerative lesions recurred after 63 weeks of disease stabilization. Additionally, adverse drug reactions (acute laminitis and increased susceptibility to infections) were evident and the gelding was euthanized due to animal welfare considerations.

Differential diagnosis for a mandibular mass - a rare case of an odontoameloblastoma in a red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus).

BACKGROUND: Mandibular masses caused by inflammatory processes due to bacterial infections, most common with Actinomyces bovis, are well known in herbivors. This case represents a rare differential diagnosis to common inflammatory processes which cannot be distinguished from neoplasia without detailed histopathological examination. CASE PRESENTATION: A large unilateral mandibular mass of a free-ranging female adult red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus) was submitted for pathological examination. The animal had been shot due to its poor body condition. Grossly, the mandibular mass showed gingival ulceration and necrosis. Histologically, irregular strands and islands of odontogenic epithelial cells and a matrix of dentin and osteoid-like material were found, leading to the diagnosis of an odontogenic tumor. Considering the animal's age the tumor was classified as odontoameloblastoma with secondary chronic purulent osteomyelitis. CONCLUSIONS: Odontogenic tumors are rare in domestic and wildlife species and so far have not been reported in red deer. In addition to the more common inflammatory processes of the mandibula and other neoplastic diseases of the oral cavity, odontogenic tumors represent a rare differential diagnosis that must be kept in mind especially when masked by inflammatory lesions.

[Uterine serosal inclusion cysts in the dog - case report and literature review of canine uterine cysts]. / Serosazysten am Uterus der Hündin ­ Fallbericht und Literaturübersicht zu kaninen Uteruszysten.

In bitches, uterine cysts are usually associated with pathological conditions. Serosal inclusion cysts of the uterus represent an exception to this rule. These thin-walled cysts develop on the uterine surface and occur either as single or multiple cysts. The cysts lack endocrine activity and usually do not cause clinical symptoms. Their occurrence shows no association to the estrus cycle. Serosal inclusion cysts are mainly found in older multiparous bitches and large breeds are more often affected. Diagnosis of serosal inclusion cysts may be achieved by transabdominal sonography. Differentiation between uterine and ovarian serosal inclusion cysts is possibly challenging as serosal inclusion cysts are often located in the area of the tip of the uterine horn. This report presents the case of a breeding bitch with multiple uterine serosal inclusion cysts detected during caesarean section. The concentrations of estradiol 17ß and progesterone in the cyst fluid corresponded to the blood concentrations of these hormones in a bitch during parturition. The concentrations of total calcium, zinc, copper, and iron in the cyst fluid were below the reference values in canine blood whereas the concentrations of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium in the cyst fluid were comparable to pertaining blood levels.