Giovanni Lanteri

A Case of Unilateral Pelvic Limb Adactyly in a Puppy Dog

With 2 figures

Spontaneous schwannoma in zebrafish, Danio rerio (Hamilton).

Peripheral nerve sheath tumours (PNSTs) are neoplastic growths of the peripheral nerves and have been detected in almost all vertebrates. These tumours show either benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours (BPNSTs) or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) forms. PNSTs have been reported in many teleost species, generally as benign including goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.), (Picci 1933; Schlumberger 1952, 1957; Mawdesley-Thomas 1972), snappers (Lutjanidae) (Lucké 1942), coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum) (Masahito, Ishikawa, Yanagisawa, Sugano & Ikeda 1985), damselfish, Pomacentrus partitus (Poey) (Schmale, Henseley & Udey 1983), rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax (Mitchill) (Morrison, Harshbarger & McGladdery 1993), and gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata L. (Marino, Germanà & Panebianco 2008). Neurofibroma has been reported in Lumpenus sagitta (Wilimorsky) (McArn & Wellings 1967), C. auratus (Duncan & Harkin 1968), Gadus macrocephalus (Tilesius) (Wellings 1969), and striped mullet (Marino, Macrı̀, Lanteri, Manganaro, Monaco & Germanà 2010). The high expression and peculiar distribution of certain BPNSTs in some fish populations suggested a possible viral aetiology, so far demonstrated only for damselfish schwannoma (Schmale, Gibbs & Campbell 2002). Schwannoma and neurofibroma are the most common BPNSTs in humans, in domestic animals and in lower vertebrates such as teleostean fish. Schwannoma develop from the Schwann cells, whilst neurofibroma originates from fibroblast cells of the peripheral nerves. Despite their different origin, to distinguish schwannoma from neurofibroma was a diagnostic problem for many years and some authors preferred to consider them as a single morphological entity (Cordy 1990; Scarpelli 1969; Jubb & Huxtable 1993; Bambir, Helgason, Marino & Macrı̀ 2000). It can be difficult to differentiate these two tumours from fibromas (Scarpelli 1969). Although ultrastructural features have been used to differentiate schwannomas from neurofibromas (Duncan & Harkin 1969), immunohistochemistry has also been proposed as useful diagnostic tool in fish (Marino, Germanà, Bambir, Helgason, De Vico & Macrı̀ 2006; Marino et al. 2008). Recently, zebrafish mutants for the MMR genes mlh1, msh2 and msh6 have been isolated and homozygous mutants of all three lines develop neurofibromas/MPNST (Feitsma, Kuiper, Korving, Nijman & Cuppen 2008). The role of NF2 and p53 mutations in tumourigenesis has been emphasized by the observation of MPNST development in NF2 (Amsterdam, Sadler, Lai, Farrington, Bronson, Lees & Hopkins 2004) and p53 (Berghmans, Murphey, Wienholds, Neuberg, Kutok, Fletcher, Morris, Xi Liu, Schulte-Merker, Kanki, Plasterk, Zon & Look 2005) mutant zebrafish. tp53-deficient zebrafish lines, after 8.5 months, spontaneously develop Journal of Fish Diseases 2012, 35, 239–242 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2761.2011.01335.x

Neurofibroma in a Striped Mullet: Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Study

A case of neurofibroma is reported in a wild striped mullet Mugil cephalus. Macro- and microscopic features are described. The tumor arose on the head as a white-grayish, firm mass protruding outwards but covered by the epidermis. The neoplastic tissue showed well-defined borders and was encapsulated; it was predominantly composed of elongated cells with ellipsoid, hyperchromatic nuclei and pale cytoplasm. The cells were irregularly arranged; in the context of the neoplastic proliferation, these cells were usually densely packed, sometimes forming parallel arrays, but without distinctive nuclear palisades. The diagnosis of neurofibroma is also supported by the positive immunostaining for S-100 and vimentin as well as by the negative calretinin reaction.

The simultaneous presence of neuroepithelial cells and neuroepithelial bodies in the respiratory gas bladder of the longnose gar, Lepisosteus osseus, and the spotted gar, L. oculatus

Anatomical and functional studies on the autonomic innervation as well as the location of airway receptors in the air-bladder of lepisosteids are very fragmentary. These water-breathing fishes share in common with the bichirs the presence of a glottis (not a ductus pneumaticus) opening into the esophagus. In contrast to a high concentration of neuroepithelial cells (NECs) contained in the furrowed epithelium in the lung of Polypterus, these cells are scattered as solitary cells in the glottal epithelium, and grouped to form neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) in the mucociliated epithelium investing the main trabeculae in the air-bladder of Lepisosteus osseus and L. oculatus. The present immunohistochemical studies also demonstrated the presence of nerve fibers in the trabecular striated musculature and a possible relation to NEBs in these species, and identified immunoreactive elements of this innervation. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), 5-HT and neuropeptide immunoreactivities were detected in the intramural nerve fibers. 5-HT and VIP immunopositive nerve fibers are apparently associated with NEBs. TH, VIP and SP immunoreactivities are also present in nerve fibers coursing in the radially arranged striated muscle surrounding the glottis and its submucosa. 5-HT positive neurons are also found in submucosal and the muscle layers of the glottis. The physiological function of the adrenergic and inhibitory innervation of the striated muscle as well as the neurochemical coding and morphology of the innervation of the NEBs are not known. Future studies are needed to provide evidence for these receptors with the capacity of chemoreceptors and/or mechanoreceptors.

Unilateral forelimb partial aphalangia in a kitten.

Congenital limb deformities are rarely reported in the cat. The macroscopic and radiographic features of aphalangia are described in a 2-month-old male kitten showing a shortened limb that ended, at the level of the carpus, in a stump without digits. A nail was present at the level of the first phalanx and on the palmar surface only two footpads were present. The radiographs showed an absence of phalanges. The first metacarpal and the proximal and distal phalanges of digit 1 were present. The deformed metacarpal bones were reduced in length; the carpal bones were incompletely ossified. This defect is a rare condition in many animal species. To the author’s knowledge, the congenital fore limb deformity described here is the first documented case in a cat.

Photic entrainment of daily rhythm pattern of locomotor activity in sea bass (Dicentrarcus labrax)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the circadian rhythm of daily locomotor activity in sea bass exposed to three different artificial lighting regimes including 12/12, 24/0, and 0/24 L/D periods, and scheduled daytime feeding. Daily rhythm of locomotor activity during 12/12 L/D was observed, whereas locomotor activity recorded during 24/0 and 0/24 L/D resulted arrhythmic. Statistical differences in mesor values among the photoperiods and between light and dark phases of each photoperiod were found. During the 12/12 and 0/24 L/D, the fish were active mostly during the light phase. During 24/0 L/D, a phase inversion occurred. The results showed that photoperiod is a dominant synchronizer in sea bass, and that the appetite in this fish follows daily rhythms which does not match the imposed feeding schedule, suggesting the absence or the lability of internal process that couples feeding cycles and biological rhythms.

A rare case of simple syndactyly in a puppy

A case of non-syndromic, complete syndactyly involving all four limbs is described in a three-month-old male crossbreed dog for the first time. Syndactyly is a rare condition in most animal species, in dogs it has been infrequently reported. Findings of clinical, radiographic and cytogenetic analyses are described and demonstrate probably for the first time that numerical and structural chromosome aberrations are not involved in the pathogenesis of this case of syndactyly.

Experimental Susceptibility of Gilthead Sea Bream, Sparus aurata, via Challenge with Anisakis pegreffii Larvae

The endoscopic and histopathological findings detected in Sparus aurata experimentally infected with third-stage Anisakis larvae without intermediate host are evaluated and discussed. In six fish, live nematode larvae were introduced by gastroscopy into the stomach. The first observation by endoscope, 15 days after challenge, showed the presence of some larvae at the level of gastric mucosa. An explorative celioscopy, performed 60 days after challenge, showed haemorrhages and/or nodules on the gut of two fishes. Necropsy and histology demonstrated parasites in the context of the tissue changes. The finding of live nematode larvae as well as the evidence of tissue change confirm the experimental susceptibility of gilthead sea bream towards Anisakis.

Mast cells in canine mammary gland tumour: number, distribution and EPOR positivity

Erythropoietin (EPO)-mediated mitogenic and anti-apoptotic effects involve all the cells expressing functional receptors for EPO (EPOR), as demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies. EPO shows pleiotropic effects and acts as an endogenous mediator of adaptive tissue response to metabolic stress protecting tissues from different injuries. Recently, the EPO/EPOR complex has been identified in several neoplastic cell lines and solid tumours. In this study, the authors investigated the mast cells (MCs) number, distribution and their immunoreactivity for EPOR in normal, dysplastic and neoplastic canine mammary gland. The results showed that MCs were more numerous in displastic glands compared with normal and neoplastic glands. As far as the EPOR immunoreactivity is concerned, we did not observe MCs reaction on cancer, in contrast with previously published data where epithelium of neoplastic gland showed an increase in EPOR expression along with the neoplastic progression. Overall, our results might be suggestive for MCs role in oncogenesis and offer new insight regarding to the expression of EPOR in mammary gland cancer in dog.

Systemic candidiasis in farm-reared red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) caused by Leucosporidium spp

BackgroundThis report describes the results of radiological, histological and molecular examination of three farm-reared red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) affected by candidiasis.Case presentationThree juvenile farm-reared red-legged partridges in a batch of 100 of the same species were sent for clinical and pathological investigations. The owner referred of a sudden isolation of the sick animals, with apathy, diarrhea, ruffled plumage and respiratory rattles. Post mortem total body lateral projection radiograph showed an increased perihilar interstitial pattern and air bronchogram signs due to lung edema. At necropsy, carcasses showed cachexia; the pericloacal region was soiled by diarrheic fecal material. From the mouth to the intestine, a mucous yellowish fluid was present on a slightly reddish mucosa. Histopathology showed slight edema and congestion with different free fungal elements, referable to blastospores, hyphae and pseudohyphae. Biomolecular exam identified the most similar sequences as belonging to Leucosporidium scottii.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this case report describes for the first time this fungal species as a causative agent of candidiasis in birds.