Comparison between light and electron microscopy in canine and feline renal pathology: a preliminary study

Abstract

Summary The aim of this study is to compare the accuracy and clinical use of light and transmission electron microscopy in detecting the early stages of renal pathologies in domestic animals. We examined 30 samples of renal tissue from cats and dogs referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Department of Animal Pathology for different systemic diseases. The progressions of the kidney pathologies were classified using the scheme system proposed by the International Renal Interest Society. All samples were submitted for conventional histology and ultrastructural examination. Our study shows that electron microscopy is necessary to complete the histological examinations, especially to define early stages of kidney diseases (minimal changes disease, epithelial tubular pathologies, tubular basement membrane and glomerular basement membrane changes). Electron microscopy can be more accurate in defining the level of focal lesion, and permits discrimination between different clinical and pathological alterations such as fibrillary deposits. In conclusion, transmission electron microscopy associated with clinical, histological, histochemical and immunological examinations, is an essential method for diagnosis and prognosis of renal disease.

Association between the Intrarenal Renin-Angiotensin System and Renal Injury in Chronic Kidney Disease of Dogs and Cats

“…Previous studies have indicated that the pathological mechanisms of the incidence and progression of CKD differ between dogs and cats. Previous investigations on the histopathological differences between canine and feline kidney disease show that tissue damage appears to be prominent in the glomerulus in dogs and in the tubulointerstitium in cats [16,22]. The results of our recent study demonstrate these species-specific histopathological features [29], and we suggest that the mechanisms for development of myofibroblasts, which play critical roles in renal fibrosis, differ between canine and feline CKD.…”

Prevalence of Immune‐Complex Glomerulonephritides in Dogs Biopsied for Suspected Glomerular Disease: 501 Cases (2007–2012)

“…Ultrastructural evaluation provides useful diagnostic information in nearly 50% of nontransplant human renal biopsy specimens, allowing assessment of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and podocyte foot processes, as well as confirmation of the presence or absence of immune complex deposits. A previous preliminary study of TEM in canine and feline renal pathology concluded that TEM also is necessary to complement histological examinations in dogs . Indeed, many glomerular diseases are at least partially defined by distinctive changes in cells, extracellular matrix, or both that can only be detected by TEM …”

“…A previous preliminary study of TEM in canine and feline renal pathology concluded that TEM also is necessary to complement histological examinations in dogs. 11 Indeed, many glomerular diseases are at least partially defined by distinctive changes in cells, extracellular matrix, or both that can only be detected by TEM. 12 There are no large-scale studies defining the prevalence of ICGN in dogs with clinical evidence of glomerular disease for which renal specimens were evaluated by LM, IF, and TEM in all cases.…”