A case of equine multicentric lymphoma: Clinical, microscopical, and molecular findings.

Background: Although relatively uncommon, lymphoma is the most prevalent haematopoietic neoplasia in horses, and multicentric lymphoma remains the most common presentation of the disease. The pathogenesis of equine lymphoma is still poorly understood and the diagnosis is usually confirmed at an advanced stage of the disease, compromising the prognosis. This study investigated the clinical, pathological, and molecular features of a case of equine multicentric lymphoma. Case Description: An apparently healthy 5-year-old crossbreed mare hospitalized at the Centre of Animal Reproduction of Vairão, Portugal, suddenly presented clinical signs of supraorbital oedema and mandibular lymph node enlargement, developing fever, facial oedema, and generalized lymphadenopathy. The mare ended up dying twenty-four days after the first clinical signs due to multisystem organ failure. Haematological and biochemical analyses, necropsy, and microscopic and molecular evaluation of affected tissues were performed. At necropsy, the main findings were multiple multinodular lesions, distributed along the serous surface of oropharynx, trachea, pericardium, gastrointestinal tract, and mesentery. Microscopically, these consisted of solid proliferations of neoplastic round cells that exhibited immunopositivity for CD3 (T cells). Based on these findings, a medium-grade multicentric T-cell lymphoma was diagnosed. Conclusion: There is still very little research regarding the molecular characterization of lymphoma in horses. As an entity itself is quite heterogeneous, it is important to describe the interspecies particularities to understand its development and behaviour.

C-Reactive Protein: Re-evaluation of a Diagnostic Laboratory Test.

C-reactive protein has been a measure of acute phase reactions to inflammation for 40 years. Recently improved quantitative assays in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have allowed a re-evaluation of its potential as a diagnostic laboratory test. The main advances in the newer methods have been that they can provide rapid (hours) information on the hepatocyte synthesis of this molecule during immune response. We have tested its value in patients with presumed bacterial meningitis. Based on our experience, newer standardized, quantitative assessments of C-reactive protein can be very useful in distinguishing between bacterial and other forms of meningeal irritation during the first few days of hospitalization. Other investigators have indicated that by serial measurements important information on the resolution or continuation of inflammatory processes can be obtained. We recommend improved standardization of this test, and recalculation of its usefulness as a diagnostic laboratory test.