Radostin Simeonov

Computerized Cytomorphometric Analysis of Nuclear Area, Nuclear Perimeter and Mean Nuclear Diameter in Spontaneous Canine Mammary Gland Tumours

Fifty-two spontaneous canine mammary gland tumours (fibroadenomas (n = 8), tubulopapillary carcinomas (n = 9), solid carcinomas (n = 6), anaplastic carcinomas (n = 7), fibrosarcomas (n = 9), liposarcomas (n = 9) and osteosarcomas (n = 4) were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in Hemacolor-stained cytological specimens. Computerized cytomorphometry was performed and the nuclear area, nuclear perimeter and mean nuclear diameter of investigated tumours were assessed. A minimum of 100 nuclei per lesion were examined. The statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences between benign and malignant neoplasms. The results indicated that computer-assisted nuclear morphometry could be used as an additional method for differentiation of benign from malignant canine mammary gland tumours in cytological specimens.

Quantitative analysis in spontaneous canine anal sac gland adenomas and carcinomas

Stained cytological specimens from 7 canine anal sac gland adenomas and 11 canine anal sac gland carcinomas were analyzed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry. In each case, the nuclei of at least 100 neoplastic cells were measured, and the mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear diameter (MND) and nuclear roundness (NR) were calculated. The study aimed to evaluate (1) the possibility of using nuclear cytomorphometry as an auxiliary diagnostic method to differentiate between canine anal sac gland adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and (2) the prognostic value of nuclear morphometry in canine anal sac gland adenocarcinomas. The results indicated that (1) MNA, MNP, MND and NR could be used as effective auxiliary tools for differential diagnosis between canine anal sac gland adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and (2) MNA, MNP and MND are reliable prognostic indicators for canine anal sac gland adenocarcinomas.

Comparative morphometric analysis of recurrent and nonrecurrent canine basal cell carcinomas: a preliminary report

BACKGROUND Most reports of canine basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) focus on morphologic appearance rather than biologic behavior. Rare recurrences and no metastases have been reported in dogs. Quantitative nuclear morphometry may be useful in predicting tumor recurrence. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to compare quantitative nuclear parameters of canine BCCs that did not recur within 60 weeks of excision with those that recurred. METHODS Cytologic specimens obtained from spontaneous BCCs from 11 dogs were analyzed by computerized nuclear morphometry. The dogs were monitored by their owners over a period of 60 weeks to detect local recurrence of the tumor; recurrent tumors were confirmed histologically. For each initial tumor specimen, nuclei of at least 100 neoplastic cells were measured by 2 independent observers, and mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), and mean nuclear diameter (MND) were calculated. RESULTS Six nonrecurrent and 5 recurrent tumors were analyzed. Neoplastic cells from BCCs that subsequently recurred had higher MNA (102.41 +/- 4.57 microm(2)), MNP (36.27 +/- 0.61 microm), and MND (11.21 +/- 0.27 microm) than cells from nonrecurrent BCCs (MNA 87.66 +/- 4.79 microm(2), MNP 33.51 +/- 0.78 microm, MND 10.36 +/- 0.29 microm) (P<.001; Mann-Whitney U-test). CONCLUSION Based on these preliminary results, nuclear morphometry may be a useful tool to predict local recurrence of BCCs in dogs.

The accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of canine skin and subcutaneous masses

A retrospective evaluation of cytologic and histopathologic specimens from 300 cutaneous and subcutaneous palpable lesions in dogs was performed. Preoperatively, specimens were obtained from each formation by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Samples for histopathology were obtained by surgical excision biopsy or at necropsy. The concordance and the accuracy of FNAB for the diagnosis of neoplasia were determined using histopathology as a gold standard. Fifty-two cases were considered as unsatisfactory and were excluded from the study (retrieval rate 82.66%, n = 248). Neoplasia was diagnosed in 193 cytologic specimens. In 190 cases, neoplasia was confirmed by histology (98.44% true positive). Fifty-five cytologic specimens were classified as non-neoplastic. In 35 (63.63%) cases, the cytologic diagnoses were in agreement with the histologic diagnosis (true negative), while in 20 (36.37%) cases, a false negative diagnosis of neoplasia was made by cytologic examination. Based on the results from our study, there was 88.7% (220/248) agreement between cytologic and histologic diagnoses. In diagnosing neoplasia cytology had a sensitivity of 90.47%, a specificity of 97.22%, a positive predictive value of 98.44%, and a negative predictive value of 63.63%.

Immunological and pathological investigations in equine experimental uveitis

BackgroundThe pathogenic mechanism of equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is still poorly defined and many variations between experimental animal models and spontaneous disease exist.ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to investigate if Th17 cell-mediated response plays role in the pathogenesis of the used experimental model in horses and to reveal its pathological findings.MethodsExperimental uveitis was induced in 6 healthy horses. The concentrations of retinal autoantigen CRALBP and IL-17 were measured using ELISA in aqueous humor and vitreous body of the 12 inflamed eyes as well as in 12 control non-inflamed eyes taken from 6 horses in slaughter house. After centrifugation of the two eye media, smears were prepared and cytological investigation was performed. Tissue specimens were taken from all eye globes and were submitted to histopathological investigation.ResultsCRALBP and IL-17 concentrations were significantly elevated in eye media of horses with experimental uveitis in comparison with controls. Cytological and histopathological findings corresponded to the changes characteristic of chronic immune-mediated inflammation with mononuclear cell infiltration of uvea, choroid, retina, and eye media as well as severe retinal destruction.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated the involvement of the retinal autoantigen CRALBP as well as IL-17 in the pathogenesis of experimental uveitis in horses. These findings suggests that this experimental uveitis in horses may serve as a suitable animal model for investigation of IL-17- mediated immune response during spontaneous autoimmune uveitis in horses as well as in humans.

Prognostic value of nuclear morphometry in spontaneous canine sebaceous carcinomas: a preliminary report

Stained cytological specimens from eight canine sebaceous carcinomas (CSCs) were analyzed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in order to evaluate the prognostic value of this technique. Four tumors had metastases in regional lymph nodes at the time of the diagnosis. The morphometric parameters evaluated in this study were mean nuclear area (MNA, µm2), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP, µm), mean nuclear diameter (D mean, µm), minimum nuclear diameter (D min, µm), and maximum nuclear diameter (D max, µm). Associations between MNA, MNP, D mean, D min, and D max in non-metastatic and metastatic tumors were assessed using the analysis of variance/least significant difference test (Statistica 6.0, StatSoft, USA) at a level of significance P < 0.05. The correlation between nuclear morphometric parameters and metastases to the regional lymph nodes was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation test (P < 0.05). The mean values of these parameters were significantly greater in dogs with lymph node metastases compared to parameters of tumor cells from dogs which were lymph node-negative. Significant differences in MNA, MNP, D min and D mean were seen between metastasizing and non-metastasizing neoplastic formations. The results from our investigation showed that nuclear morphometry is an objective and reproducible procedure that could be used as additional tool for evaluating the metastatic potential of CSCs.

A Clinical Case of Unilateral Ovarian Dysgerminoma and Pyometra in a Bitch

Abstract A clinical case of an 11-year-old bitch with unilateral ovarian dysgerminoma and pyometra is described. The owner reported purulent discharge from external genitalia, fastidious appetite and depression. Transabdominal ultrasonography of the reproductive organs showed a hypoechoic mass in the region of the left ovary (7.18 × 6.65 cm) and a strongly enlarged uterine lumen full of anechoic fluid. Vaginal cytology demonstrated about 50% superficial cornfield epithelial cells and multiple neutrophils. Complete blood counts and blood biochemistry analysis indicated a significant leukocytosis and a mild anemia. Blood progesterone (3.96 ng/ml) and estradiol (86 pg/ml) were assayed. Median laparotomy revealed an enlarged uterus, substantially altered left ovary, of the size of a grapefruit. The right ovary was of normal size and structure. Tumor metastases in other organs were not seen. Histologically, diffusely located cancer cells resembling primitive germ cells, specific for dysgerminomas, were established. One year after the surgery, according to the owner the dog is vital, with normal appetite and without general condition abnormalities.