Establishment of a histiocytic sarcoma cell line and anti-tumor effect of bortezomib in the African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).

The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) is known to have a high incidence of tumor. However, investigating the tumors of this species has been constrained by the limited availability of research materials such as cell lines and genome information. In this study, we successfully established a novel cell line from a histiocytic sarcoma (HS) of an African pygmy hedgehog, allowing us to conduct a drug screening. We investigated using FDA-approved drug library screening to determine which anticancer drug this tumor cell line is sensitive to, and as a result of apoptosis experiments, bortezomib among the three proteasome inhibitors was found to induce cell death of cancer cells by significantly increasing caspase-3 cleavage (P<0.01). Thus, we elucidated that the proteasome inhibitors, particularly bortezomib, exhibit anti-tumor effects on a cell line derived from an HS in an African pygmy hedgehog through a mechanism comparable to that described in human tumors. This study reports the first characterized cell line from the African pygmy hedgehog and also highlights the potential utility of bortezomib as an anti-tumor treatment for HS in this species.

Pyometra in a sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps): surgical treatment and postoperative complications.

A 7-year-old female sugar glider showed a well-defined, homogeneous, hypoechoic mass in the caudal abdominal cavity on ultrasound. Exploratory laparotomy revealed both uteri were severely dilated by viscous, purulent exudate. The patient underwent ovariohysterectomy with removal of bilateral vaginal canals. Antibiotic therapy was initiated postoperatively. Histopathological findings were consistent with suppurative metritis, leading to a clinical diagnosis of pyometra. Despite abscess formation in the uterine stump or central vaginal canal and bilateral renal pelvic/ureter dilations postoperatively, the sugar glider survived more than 270 days. Unfortunately, surgical and medical treatments performed in this case did not prove curative. The outcome of this case highlights the importance of further accumulation of cases to define more appropriate therapies for pyometra in sugar gliders.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of colonic obstructive foreign bodies in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera): a case series (2017-2020).

We describe a case series of colonic foreign bodies in seven chinchillas. These animals had all shown complete lack of fecal output. Ultrasonography was performed in each case, revealing a hyperechoic foreign body with strong acoustic shadowing in the bowel in 6 of the 7 cases (86%). Foreign bodies were removed under exploratory laparotomy in all cases, with a perioperative survival rate of 71% (5/7). The foreign bodies were extracted from the distal ansa of the ascending colon (n=3), descending colon (n=3), or intermediate part of the ascending colon (n=1). This case series suggests chinchillas are affected by colonic obstructive foreign bodies and surgical intervention may be necessary to pursue better prognosis in cases where medical therapies prove ineffective.

Comprehensive Surveillance of Virus Infection among Captive African Pygmy Hedgehogs in Japan.

African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are popular exotic pets in Japan, and their breeding numbers have recently increased. Although various diseases have been reported in hedgehogs, including skin, respiratory, neurological, and neoplastic diseases, most of the causes remain unidentified. In this study, we investigated herpesvirus, adenovirus, and coronavirus infections among 150 African pygmy hedgehogs in Japan and evaluated the correlations between virus infection and diseases. A novel herpesvirus named Atelerix albiventris herpesvirus 1 (AAHeV), and African pygmy hedgehog adenovirus 1 (AhAdV-1) were detected in 14 and 3 oral swab samples, respectively. AAHeV infection may be related to neurological clinical signs. Interestingly, no hedgehog with a neoplastic disorder tested positive for AAHeV. Further research is required to determine the pathogenicity and prevalence of the detected viruses.

Cutaneous papilloma and multicentric squamous cell carcinoma in four-toed hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris).

Skin lesions possibly caused by Papillomavirus infections in two four-toed hedgehogs are described. In case 1, there was a papillary mass on the right hind limb. Histologically, the mass was consistent with a viral papilloma. In the other case, multifocal papillary masses with erosions and ulcers were found throughout the body, mainly on the extremities. Histology showed continuative lesions composed of acanthosis, Bowenoid in situ carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, with abrupt transitions between the lesions. In both cases, keratinocytes in the granular layer infrequently had features of koilocytes and intranuclear inclusion bodies, and immunohistochemical staining was positive for anti-human papillomavirus antibody. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first pathological documentation of possibly papillomavirus-associated skin lesions in four-toed hedgehogs.

Tracheal chondrosarcoma in a blue tegu (Salvator merianae).

An 8-year-and-1-month-old female blue tegu (Salvator merianae) was brought to a clinician with severe cough. The patient died 11 days later despite supportive care, and necropsy was performed by a clinician. The lumen of the distal trachea was almost completely occluded by a milk-white, hard mass measuring 1 cm in diameter. Histopathologically, the mass comprised spindle-shaped to polygonal cells arranged in a loose sheet with abundant production of basophilic cartilaginous matrix, consistent with chondrosarcoma. Reports of tracheal neoplasms in reptiles are limited, and to the best of our knowledge this represents the first pathological documentation of tracheal chondrosarcoma in a reptile.

Primary localized histiocytic sarcoma of the lumbar vertebrae in a four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).

We describe a case of primary localized histiocytic sarcoma of the lumbar vertebrae in a four-toed hedgehog. The case showed aggressive osteolysis of lumbar vertebrae on radiography, and a soft-tissue mass effacing this region was noted, suggesting a neoplastic lesion. No metastatic lesions were apparent. Antemortem diagnosis was challenging, and necropsy was performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with localized histiocytic sarcoma. This report provides documentation of the clinical and pathologic features of an unusual form of histiocytic sarcoma localizing to lumbar vertebrae in a four-toed hedgehog.

Clinicopathologic Findings of Spontaneous Leukemia in 9 Pet African Hedgehogs (Atelerix Albiventris).

Previous reports of leukemia in hedgehogs are limited. We describe clinicopathologic features of leukemia in 9 hedgehogs, including eosinophilic leukemia (n = 3) and acute leukemia/leukemic phase of lymphoma (n = 6). All 3 hedgehogs with eosinophilic leukemia were older than 2 years of age; in contrast, 4 of 6 cases of acute leukemia/lymphoma were <2 years old. Hedgehogs presented for non-specific clinical signs of anorexia and lethargy. On hematologic testing, hedgehogs with eosinophilic leukemia had a marked leukocytosis, consisting mostly of eosinophilic precursors with fewer mature eosinophils, whereas there were 43-97% immature cells (blasts) in the blood of hedgehogs with acute leukemia/lymphoma. Anemia (n = 6) and/or thrombocytopenia (n = 6) were concurrent findings. Increased liver enzyme activities (alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase) and hypoalbuminemia were the common findings on biochemical panels. All cases of eosinophilic leukemia and 4 cases of acute leukemia/lymphoma died shortly after diagnosis (median 7 days, range 0-41 days), whereas 2 cases of acute leukemia/lymphoma lived for 94 or 101 days. Postmortem examination in 5 cases (1 eosinophilic leukemia, 4 acute leukemia/lymphoma) showed bone marrow infiltrates, confirming eosinophilic leukemia and acute leukemia in 1 and 3 cases, and bone marrow necrosis in 1 animal with acute leukemia/lymphoma. Immunohistochemical staining of bone marrow sections confirmed a T-cell acute leukemia in 1 case. Several hedgehogs had concurrent carcinomas. Hedgehogs suffer from eosinophilic leukemia and acute leukemia/lymphoma. However, classification of acute leukemia by lineage was not possible due to lack of hedgehog cross-reactive or species-specific reagents.

Clinical management and outcome of four-toed hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) with histiocytic sarcoma.

Four-toed hedgehogs presented bloody stool and loss of appetite. Integumental masses were observed in two of the four cases. Intraabdominal masses were observed on radiographs and ultrasonography in the remaining two cases. The masses were surgically removed from all four cases. All samples were histologically and immunohistochemically consistent with histiocytic sarcoma (HS). At the time of surgery, 3 of 4 cases had grossly recognized metastatic/disseminated lesions. Survival time was 48 days, 64 days, and 113 days, respectively, and the remaining case is currently alive (at Day 207). The present report describes the clinical management and outcome of hedgehogs that were diagnosed with HS.

Thyroid Adenoma and Ectopic Thyroid Carcinoma in a Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus).

A 56-mo-old male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) presented with gradual weight loss from 757 to 691 g during the preceding month. Cardiac-specific diagnostics detected decreased cardiac contractility, moderate cardiomegaly, pericardial effusion, and pulmonary edema. At 1 mo after presentation, the guinea pig died while under treatment. Necropsy revealed a 5 × 3 × 3-mm, tan, smooth nodule on the base of the heart. On histology, the nodule contained moderately cellular neoplastic tissue comprising cuboidal cells arranged in variably sized follicles. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for thyroglobulin and thyroid transcription factor 1, consistent with ectopic thyroid carcinoma. Other significant histologic lesions included thyroid adenoma of the right thyroid gland, myocardial hypertrophy and degeneration, suppurative bronchopneumonia, and centrilobular hepatocellular degeneration. Although serum total thyroxine concentration was not evaluated, we considered that the tumors in this case were functional because concurrent lesions related to hyperthyroidism were present. In guinea pigs, reports of endocrine tumors, including thyroid tumors, have been increasing. To our knowledge, the current report represents the first documentation of ectopic thyroid carcinoma in this species.