The paper presents a case of leiomyosarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with an ultrasound and histopathological description of pathological changes. According to our knowledge, leiomyosarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract and its ultrasound features have not been reported in lizards yet. A male bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), aged 4 years, was referred for radiological and ultrasound examination with a history of apathy and loss of appetite. A preliminary diagnosis of an advanced neoplasia process in the caudal coelomic cavity was established by diagnostic imaging methods. The owner decided to euthanize the animal and agreed to a post-mortem examination. After euthanasia, a histopathological examination was performed. In a radiological examination, an irregularly marginated radiopacity measuring 5.8 x 4.0 cm was visible in the central part of the coelom. Serosal margin details in the coelomic cavity were decreased, and differentiation of coelomic organs was impossible. An ultrasound examination confirmed a large amount of free echogenic fluid in the coelomic cavity. The liver had increased echogenicity, and a hypoechoic focal lesion was found in the right lobe. Mixed echogenicity masses were visible in the caudal coelom adjacent to the small intestinal loops. In one of the adjacent intestinal loops, a focal thickening of the small intestinal wall was observed with loss of the normal layered architecture. The mass had complex and mostly low echogenicity with a cystic lesion present in the centre. Necropsy confirmed the presence of proliferative lesions in the body cavity, originating from the intestine and infiltrating the mesentery and the lumbar spine area as well as the gonads located at this site. On the basis of the histological structure of the intestinal tumour, the neoplastic proliferation was classified, according to the WHO classification, to a group of malignant tumours with characteristics of leiomyosarcoma and arising from the smooth muscles. The ultrasonographic features of gastrointestinal leiomyosarcoma in that lizard corresponded to features found in dogs, in which such tumours occur as eccentric, poorly echogenic masses with anechoic cavities in large changes. Leiomyosarcoma in reptiles can be locally invasive as well. Metastatic foci are also possible, especially in the liver.
Different types of canine lymphoma respond differently to chemotherapy and have different prognoses. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma in dogs. Topoisomerase II alpha (TOPIIα) protein has been shown to be a proliferation marker associated with prognostic significance. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between TOPIIα expression, mitotic count (MC), and Ki67 antigen index in DLBCL in dogs, taking into account the applicability of these parameters to select the chemotherapy protocol with emphasis on the use of anthracycline drugs. Samples of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lymph nodes from 34 dogs with DLBCL were immunohistochemically labelled with anti-TOPIIα and Ki67. The number of positive cells and the intensity of the reaction were taken into account in order to assess TOPIIα expression. MC was estimated in the hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides in the area of 2.37 mm2. Positive association between TOPIIα and MC, but no association between TOPIIα and Ki67 was found. It can be concluded that the immunohistochemical determination of TOPIIα as a molecular target for drugs from the anthracycline group may be used in association with MC to establish a diagnostic-clinical protocol for selecting dogs with DLBCL for treatment with anthracycline drugs.
Introduction. Canine lymphoma remains one of the most chemotherapy-responsive neoplasia in dogs. Many factors affect the prognosis in dogs treated for lymphoma, but indications for a specific treatment regimen in individual animals with lymphoma are poorly defined. Topoisomerase IIa (TOPIIa) is a key enzyme in DNA replication and a molecular target for TOPIIa inhibitors, including anthracyclines. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of TOPIIa in canine malignant lymphomas. The relationship between TOPIIa expression in canine lymphomas and potential sensitivity of neoplastic cells to anthracycline-based chemotherapy is discussed. Materials and method. Samples of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lymph nodes from 47 dogs with different subtypes of non-Hodgkin's (34 B-cell and 13 T-cell) lymphoma were immunohistochemically labeled with anti-TOPIIa. The number of positive cells and the intensity of the reaction were taken into account in order to assess TOPIIa expression. Results. TOPIIa expression was evident in all cases, although differences in the number of positive cells and intensity of the reaction were demonstrated between B-cell and T-cell lymphoma groups as well as within individual groups. Based on the established scoring system, in the B-cell lymphoma group statistically higher expression of TOPIIa was found compared to the T-cell lymphoma group (P = 0.006). In B-cell lymphoma group moderate (41.18%) and strong (32.35%) TOPIIa expression predominated, whereas among T-cell lymphoma group the majority were cases with a weak (46.15%) TOPIIa expression. Conclusion. These preliminary results indicate that further studies are needed to determine the prognostic value of TOPIIa expression with regard to the sensitivity of canine B-cell lymphomas to anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen. Nevertheless, this study indicates the possibility of choosing the appropriate treatment of canine lymphoma based on
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