Infiltrative gastric adenocarcinoma in a chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera)

Abstract

Abstract.A case of infiltrative gastric adenocarcinoma in a 5-year-old female chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) is described. The animal died after a 5-day period of lethargy and anorexia. Gross examination revealed increased gastric volume. The gastric wall was thickened and contained numerous firm, white nodules on the serosal surface. The lumen was obliterated by a firm mass and large amount of white, mucous secretion. Numerous white, irregular plaques and nodules were observed on the mesentery, visceral surface of the diaphragm, renal capsule, and uterine serosa (implantation metastases). Histopathological examination revealed an infiltrative gastric adenocarcinoma composed of neoplastic cells organized in a gland-like pattern interspersed with connective tissue. Neoplastic cells infiltrated the lamina propria, submucosa, and muscular layers, and were positive for cytokeratin. Detection of Helicobacter spp. in the gastric mucosa failed using Warthin-Starry and Steiner silver stains or immunohistochemistry, but a Helicobacter-specific nested polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing was positive for Helicobacter pylori and showed more than 99% similarity to the 16S ribosomal RNA gene.

From humans to hydra: patterns of cancer across the tree of life

“…In chinchillas, one report revealed a case of uterine leiomyosarcoma in a 1‐year‐old female (Mans & Donnelly, ). There have also been reports of malignant lymphoma, lymphosarcoma, gastric adenocarcinoma (Lucena et al, ), and adenocarcinoma of the lung (Greenacre, ).…”

Biology and Diseases of Chinchillas

“…infection in the chinchilla has not been reported, although an association with a gastric adenocarcinoma has been described (Lucena et al, 2012b). infection in the chinchilla has not been reported, although an association with a gastric adenocarcinoma has been described (Lucena et al, 2012b).…”

“…In contrast, during the 1950s the Annual Reports of the San Diego County Livestock Department listed tumors such as neuroblastoma, carcinoma, lipoma, and hemangioma as occurring in chinchillas. Lucena et al (2012b) described gastric adenocarcinoma in a 5-year-old female chinchilla that died after a 5-day period of anorexia and lethargy. Schaeffer and Donnelly (1997) reported a uterine leiomyosarcoma in a 1-year-old female chinchilla as an incidental finding at necropsy.…”

Pathology of the Exotic Companion Mammal Gastrointestinal System

“…Of the rare tumors reported in chinchillas, 18 1 poorly differentiated carcinoma of the salivary gland 19 and an infiltrative gastric adenocarcinoma are described. 20 The salivary gland tumor presented as a slow-growing, soft, nonpainful mass on the ventral neck. This older chinchilla (12 years) was euthanized 8 months after the mass was identified.…”

“…H pylori has been associated with gastric adenocarcinomas in hamsters 21 and induced in gerbils. 20,22…”