A 3-day-old, male red deer (Cervus elaphus) with bilateral microphthalmia was found dead in the Western Alps in northern Italy. No other gross alterations were present. Ocular globes were formalin fixed and processed for histology. In both eyes, a large cyst, filled with keratin and lined by squamous epithelium admixed with sebaceous glands and hair follicles, expanded the anterior chamber. A mass composed of spindle cells and small tubules, embedded in myxoid ground substance, filled the vitreal chamber. No lens tissue was found, leading to the speculation that the dermoid cystic structures originated from abnormal differentiation of the primitive ectodermal lens vesicle. Immunohistochemistry with a panel of antibodies against cytoskeletal proteins revealed neural and mesenchymal elements within the vitreal mass. A complex bilateral ocular dysgenesis, with microphthalmia, aphakia, and dermoid metaplasia of primitive lens vesicle was diagnosed. The latter finding was unusual and was previously documented only in Texel sheep (Ovis ammon), in which it was related to specific gene mutation on chromosome 23.
This report describes the clinical, parasitological and pathological findings in a 6-year-old intact female European cat with thoracic and peritoneal tetrathyridiosis, characterized by genital involvement. Physical examination and X-ray evaluation revealed laboured breathing and several pulmonary nodules suggestive of cancer. However, necropsy demonstrated a parasitic aetiology of the disease. Histologically, multifocal granulomas were detected in the lungs, uterus and ovary. Parasitological examination permitted identification of the intestinal parasites as Mesocestoides lineatus, which was later confirmed by molecular examination. The larval forms in the peritoneal and chest cavity were identified as the second stage of the Mesocestoides sp. cestode named Tetrathyridia spp. The chronic injuries observed and the rapid course of the disease from the onset of the symptoms until death suggested a long period without clinical signs and indicate that overt disease can potentially be triggered by a failure of the immune system. The observed oophoritis and metritis identify tetrathyridiosis as a possible differential diagnosis in genital dysfunction.
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