Anna Śmiech

Morphology and immunophenotype of canine cutaneous histiocytic tumours with particular emphasis on diagnostic application

This study evaluated the morphology and immunohistochemistry of 85 canine cutaneous histiocytic tumours. The tumours were classified morphologically as either canine cutaneous histiocytomas (71 tumours) or canine cutaneous histiocytic sarcomas (14 tumours). The immunohistochemical analysis was conducted on paraffin sections using an antibody panel (against MHCII, CD18, CD79αcy, CD3 and E-cadherin). Histochemical staining with toluidine blue and Gomori silver impregnation was also performed. A follow-up was conducted via surveys. The histiocytic origin of the tumour cells was confirmed in 65 of the canine cutaneous histiocytomas and in 4 of the canine cutaneous histiocytic sarcomas. The tumours that had been misdiagnosed as canine cutaneous histiocytomas included plasmacytomas, epitheliotropic T-cell lymphomas and undetermined entities. The tumours misdiagnosed as canine cutaneous histiocytic sarcomas included plasmacytomas and non-epitheliotropic T-cell lymphomas, but the majority of them remained undetermined. The canine cutaneous histiocytomas showed MHCII, CD18 and E-cadherin expression, but in several of the tumours, the expression of CD18 or E-cadherin was confirmed in only a small percentage of the tumour cells. The regressing canine cutaneous histiocytomas showed increased T- and B-lymphocyte infiltration, a decreased mitotic index, transport of the MHCII molecules from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane and loss of E-cadherin expression in the tumour cells. The canine cutaneous histiocytic sarcomas showed both high morphological diversity and expression of MHCII and CD18. Two of the evaluated histiocytic sarcomas also showed expression of E-cadherin. In conclusion, immunohistochemistry, including analysis of MHCII, CD18 and the lymphocytic markers CD3 and CD79, should be performed for the diagnosis of canine cutaneous histiocytic tumours. The expression of E-cadherin in canine cutaneous histiocytic sarcomas suggests an origin of the tumour cells among Langerhans cells.

Mitochondrial D-loop mutations can be detected in sporadic malignant tumours in dogs

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify mutations in the D-loop region of mtDNA in head, neck, and limb tumours in dogs, and determination of their relationship with the process of neoplastic transformation. Blood and tumour tissue samples from 19 dogs with diagnosed sporadic malignant tumours were analysed. DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing of the mtDNA D-loop, and bioinformatic analyses were performed. Five mutations and 19 polymorphisms were observed in 68.42% of all tumours. Polymorphic variants were noted in 42.86% of the head and neck tumours and in 58.33% of the limb tumours. Mutations were observed in 21.05% of dogs. The mutations were found in 28.57% of the head and neck tumours and in 16.66% of the limb tumours. The mutations were identified in 50% of the studied epithelial cancers. In the mesenchymal tumours, no mutations in the D-loop region were observed. Mitochondrial haplotype A17 was found in over 40% cases of limb tumours. No association between the age, breed, sex, type of tumour, and detected polymorphic variants were observed. Different mutational changes in the D-loop sequences of mtDNA identified in the blood and tumour tissues may indicate a relationship between the type of tumour and individual changes in the D-loop nucleotide sequences of mtDNA.

Effectiveness of capsaicin containing dried habanero pepper extract in the treatment of primary hepatic cancer in geriatric dogs

Primary hepatic tumours constitute 0.6-1.3% of all tumours in dogs and 1.0-2.3% in cats. These neoplasms may originate in hepatic cells or bile ducts. Less frequently, they arise from neuroendocrine and mesenchymal tissue. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed type of hepatic cancer, constituting 50% of primary tumours of this organ. Canine hepatic cancer is most often diagnosed in geriatric patients (mean age of 10-11 years), regardless of pedigree and gender. These tumours may exhibit a varied histopathological picture. They often occur in the form of a single tumour, in most cases confined to one hepatic lobe. They can also take a multinodular form characterised with the presence of multiple nodules spread over several hepatic lobes. The third form are infiltrating tumours involving several hepatic lobes. The clinical symptoms associated with hepatic cancer are usually non-specific. In about 25% of dogs, physical examination does not reveal any irregularities and the only indication for the organ imaging is the detection of increased serum hepatic enzyme activity. If clinical symptoms do appear it means that either the liver parenchyma or bile ducts have been damaged. This is manifested by loss of appetite, vomiting or diarEffectiveness of capsaicin containing dried habanero pepper extract in the treatment of primary hepatic cancer in geriatric dogs

Epidemiological and histopathological analysis of 40 apocrine sweat gland carcinomas in dogs: a retrospective study

Abstract Introduction: Apocrine sweat gland carcinomas (ASGCs) are malignant neoplasms of dogs and other animals, rarely reported worldwide. The aim of this study was to summarise the occurrence of this cancer in a population of dogs in Poland between 2009 and 2014 with regards to histological features and body location of the tumours, as well as age, sex and breed of the cancer-affected dogs. Material and Methods: The study involved 40 canine ASGC cases diagnosed in five national veterinary pathology laboratories. The material was processed according to routine histological methods. Results: Histological types of the tumours involved simple and complex apocrine carcinoma of cystic/papillary (62.5%), solid (15%), and tubular type (12.5%), as well as apocrine ductal carcinoma (10%). The epidemiological analysis revealed peak incidence of the cancer in dogs between 8 and 14 years of age, with the most commonly affected sites being forelimbs and thorax. The highest number of the cancer cases was diagnosed in mixed breed dogs and German Shepherds; no sex predilection was noted. Conclusion: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report recounting the study on canine malignant apocrine sweat gland tumours in Poland providing detailed phenotypical and histological data, which are otherwise rarely described in veterinary literature. This type of cancer appears to be diagnosed more frequently in dogs than in humans. Being an easily accessible material for research, canine ASGCs might serve as a relevant animal model for studies related to pathogenesis of sweat gland tumours.

Tissue pathomorphology and immunohistochemistry in mink (Neovison vison) fed blood plasma supplemented diet in the period of preparation for breeding

Abstract The research carried out at a mink farm aimed to determine the effect of blood plasma supplemented diet applied at the period preparing mink for reproduction on the animal organism. The studies included four groups of mink. The control group received a non-supplemented diet, while the experimental groups had feed with additive of 0.5%, 1.5%, and 2.5% of beef-pork plasma in the daily feed ration. The pathomorphological and immunohistochemical evaluation was performed on the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, spleen, and bowel from all the groups. Pathomorphological and immunohistochemical changes of various intensity were observed in the examined organs from all experimental groups.