Treatment of Nonepitheliotropic Cutaneous B-cell Lymphoma in an Umbrella Cockatoo (Cacatua alba)

Abstract

A 3.5-year-old umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba) was presented because of the development of widely disseminated subcutaneous nodules. The diagnostic work-up included a complete blood count, plasma biochemical analysis, and whole body radiographs. Biopsy samples of the skin lesions were submitted for histopathologic evaluation, bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, immunohistochemistry staining, and acid-fast staining. The diagnosis was nonepitheliotropic cutaneous B-cell lymphoma with a leukemic blood picture. The bird was treated with a chemotherapeutic regimen consisting of vincristine and chlorambucil for 17 weeks. During treatment, the complete blood count was monitored every 1-3 weeks, and the plasma biochemical analysis was monitored every 3-4 weeks. The bird was in partial remission on week 9. On week 17, the bird became acutely ill and was fluffed, depressed, anorectic, and anemic. The chemotherapeutic regimen was discontinued. At this time, the bird had a consistent lymphocytosis but no neoplastic lymphocytes were seen in the general circulation. At week 29 the bird was in complete remission and remains in complete remission 8 years after chemotherapy was discontinued.

T-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in a Double Yellow-headed Amazon Parrot (Amazona ochrocephala oratrix)

“…[15][16][17][18][19] Likewise, there have been several case reports in which leukemia has been present associated with a lymphoid neoplasm. 9,15,[20][21][22][23][24] Of these reports, only one bird was diagnosed with T-cell CLL, a 32-year-old male green-winged macaw (Ara chloroptera). In the 3 other case reports in which leukemia was identified in the absence of solid lymphoid neoplasia elsewhere in the body, all birds had severe leukocytoses (291 600/mL to approx 2 000 000/mL), consisting primarily of lymphocytes.…”

“…25 Immunophenotyping has been used in many of the case reports on nondomestic avian species with lymphoma but has generally not been validated for use in those species. [16][17][18][19]21,26 For example, B-lymphocyte antigen antibodies (BLA.36) were used to diagnose B-cell neoplasia in 2 umbrella cockatoos (Cacatua alba). 21,26 In another case report of T-cell intestinal lymphosarcoma in a yellow-naped Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata), CD79a and BLA.36 expression were not seen in control psittacine-bird splenic tissue or neoplastic tissue, whereas CD3 staining was found in both.…”

“…[16][17][18][19]21,26 For example, B-lymphocyte antigen antibodies (BLA.36) were used to diagnose B-cell neoplasia in 2 umbrella cockatoos (Cacatua alba). 21,26 In another case report of T-cell intestinal lymphosarcoma in a yellow-naped Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata), CD79a and BLA.36 expression were not seen in control psittacine-bird splenic tissue or neoplastic tissue, whereas CD3 staining was found in both. 17 In the case reported here, we are fairly confident of the positive immunophenotyping with CD3, allowing the diagnosis of T-cell CLL.…”

“…The dose of chlorambucil was chosen based on the doses used in other case reports in which lymphoid neoplasms in pet birds were treated. 4,5 Treatments were administered twice weekly, and CBCs were evaluated once weekly (Table 1). Biochemical profiles and bile acid concentrations were evaluated approximately every other week during treatment to monitor for adverse effects secondary to chemotherapy or evidence of disease progression.…”

Clinical and pathologic characteristics of T-cell lymphoma with a leukemic phase in a raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

“…3 Lymphoma is the most common hematopoietic malignancy in animals, and has been reported in all domestic and many nondomestic species. 1,3,5,6,9,10,13,15 Lymphomas are classified depending on anatomic location (multicentric, alimentary, mediastinal, other), immunophenotype (B lymphocyte vs. T lymphocyte vs. non-B/non-T), cellular morphology (size, nuclear features, mitotic rate), histologic pattern (diffuse or follicular), and biologic behavior (indolent or aggressive). 3 In the case of the raccoon dog presented herein, the neoplasm was classified as T-cell multicentric lymphoma with a leukemic phase; this neoplasm was well differentiated and aggressive.…”