History: Several ducks were found dead around a lake.
Gross Pathology: Necropsy conducted on several ducks revealed moderate autolysis and no gross lesions.
Laboratory Results: N/A
Conference Note: Duck virus enteritis (DVE) is a highly contagious
and often fatal alpha-herpesviral infection of ducks, geese, and swans.
This disease is enzootic in North America and has been reported in Europe,
Asia, and India. DVE can be transmitted by direct contact, or indirectly
by contact with a contaminated environment. Experimentally, it can be transmitted
via oral, intranasal, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, and cloacal
routes. Potential transmission by bloodsucking arthropods may be possible
during viremia. A carrier state has been suspected in wild ducks.
In domestic ducks, the incubation period ranges from 3-7 days. Once overt
signs appear, death usually follows within 1-5 days. Clinical signs in domestic
breeders include sudden, high, persistent flock mortality; 25-40% drop in
egg production; photophobia, inappetence, extreme thirst, droopiness, ataxia,
ruffled feathers, nasal discharge, soiled vents, and watery diarrhea. In
young ducklings, dehydration, weight loss, cyanosis of the beak, and bloodstained
vents are often observed. Total mortality has ranged from 5-100%.
Gross lesions of DVE include: hemorrhage in or on the myocardium, endocardium, intestinal lumen (including the classic ‘annular band hemorrhage'), and surfaces of liver, pancreas, intestine, lungs, and kidney; oral, esophageal, and intestinal erosions with mucosal sloughing; reddening of the bursa of Fabricius; and irregularly distributed petechiae and white foci over the surface of the liver.
Histologic lesions include gastrointestinal necrosis, hepatocellular necrosis, necrosis and loss of lymphoid tissue, and necrotizing vasculitis. As in this case, eosinophilic intranuclear viral inclusion bodies are present in hepatocytes, biliary epithelium, gastrointestinal epithelium, and lymphoreticular cells associated with these necrotizing lesions. Intranuclear inclusions have also been reported in vascular endothelium. As the contributor observed, some of the esophageal epithelial cells contain eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. While these inclusions may be poxviral inclusions, conference participants noted that intracytoplasmic herpesviral inclusions have been reported in a natural outbreak of DVE in muscovy ducks.2
Two species of Capillaria, C. contorta and C. annulata, are found in the crop and esophagus of birds, though some consider these species to be synonymous. The life cycle is either direct or indirect, in which case the intermediate host is an earthworm. Light infections produce only mild inflammation and thickening of the crop. In heavy infections there is a marked thickening of the crop and esophageal wall, a marked catarrhal inflammation, and sloughing of the mucosa. The birds are emaciated and weak.
Contributor: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0442.
References:
International Veterinary Pathology Slide Bank:
Laser disc frame #19320, 19321, 20511, 20512
Signalment: 1-month-old female Beefmaster calf.
History: This calf was one of two reported by the owner to be lethargic, with swollen joints and loss of hair coat. The animal was suspected to have navel ill. A second calf was presented 4 weeks later with similar history and gross findings described below.
Gross Pathology: There was bilateral renal hypoplasia, characterized by an irregular, thin and fibrotic cortex, and dilated renal calyces filled with granular and gritty to mucoid material.
Laboratory Results: None available
Contributor's Diagnosis and Comments: Nephron loss, degeneration and necrosis, stromal fibrosis, diffuse, severe, oxalate crystals and chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis.
Gross and histopathologic findings, age, and breed of the calves are diagnostic for congenital/primary renal oxalosis, a condition similar to those reported in humans as an inherited metabolic disease. Secondary renal oxalosis in any age ruminant can be precipitated due to ingestion of plants containing high levels of oxalate, a circumstance ruled out in these two calves.
Case 2. Kidney. Note refractile crystalline material replacing tubular epithelium.
Case 2 Kidney. Polarized light. Note anisotropic crystals within degenerate tubules and interstitium.
AFIP Diagnosis:
Kidney: Degeneration, necrosis, and loss, tubular, diffuse, severe, with intraluminal oxalate crystals, diffuse moderate interstitial fibrosis, and multifocal mild lymphocytic interstitial nephritis, Beefmaster, bovine.
Conference Note: Primary oxaluria is a general term for inherited metabolic disorders resulting in severe renal oxalosis and early death caused by renal failure. In human beings, three types are described. Types I and II are disorders of glyoxylate metabolism, and are inherited as autosomal recessive traits. A third type appears to be a primary defect in oxalate absorption.
As the contributor noted, plants are the usual source of oxalate poisoning in ruminants. Important oxalate-accumulating plants include Halogeton, Sarcobatus, Rheum, Oxalis, and Rumex species, as well as some cultivated species such as mangels and sugar beets. The fungi Aspergillus niger and A. flavus can produce large quantities of oxalates on feedstuffs, and large doses of ascorbic acid have caused oxalate nephrotoxicosis in humans and in a goat.
In monogastric animals, ingestion of ethylene glycol (EG) is the most common source of renal oxalosis. Metabolites of EG play the major role in pathophysiology. In the liver, ethylene glycol is metabolized to glycoaldehyde, which depresses respiration and serotonin metabolism and alters CNS amine concentrations. Glycoaldehyde is rapidly metabolized to glycolate, which causes severe metabolic acidosis, and is thought to be the primary toxic metabolite of EG. Glycolate is oxidized to glyoxalate, which is the most toxic metabolite on a per- weight basis; however, its half-life is very short. Glyoxalate inhibits citric acid cycle enzymes and substrate level phosphorylation in mitochondria. Glyoxalate is oxidized to oxalate, which binds with calcium and forms a soluble complex which is filtered by glomeruli. As water is reabsorbed by the tubules and the pH of the filtrate decreases, calcium oxalate precipates to form crystals. This results in nephrosis, and hypocalcemia if enough calcium is complexed. The cause of death is hyperkalemia resulting in cardiac arrest.
Some of the conference participants observed an increased tortuosity of interlobular arteries in this case. There was discussion concerning whether this finding was due to an overall increase in the length of these vessels or was a result of the marked interstitial fibrosis and cortical loss.
Contributor: C.E. Kord Animal Disease Laboratory, P.O. Box 40627, Melrose Station, Nashville, TN 37204
References:
International Veterinary Pathology Slide Bank:
Laser disc frame #102, 9561,9562.
Signalment: 8 to 10-year-old Holstein cow.
History: This cow was from a large dairy herd in Texas. The herd
was depopulated due to large number of animals that tested positive for
the tuberculosis intradermal skin test. This animal was transported to the
National Animal Disease Center to participate in an ongoing research program.
Gross Pathology: There was a roundish, 10 cm diameter firm, white-
yellow, multilobular mass adjacent to the proximal duodenum and cranial
to the right kidney. The mass was estimated to weigh 2-3 lbs. In addition,
there were multiple fibrous adhesions of the pleura to the chest-wall, multiple
tubercles in lung parenchyma, and massive enlargement of mediastinal lymph
nodes. The cut surface of lung and lymph node lesions revealed abundant
caseous exudate centrally surrounded by a thick fibrous capsule.
Laboratory Results: Large numbers of Mycobacterium bovis were isolated from lymph node and lung.
Contributor's Diagnosis and Comments:
Adrenal gland: pheochromocytoma.
Section of adrenal gland containing a 1-2 x 2-3 cm neoplastic mass bordered on one side by compressed adrenal cortex covered by a thick fibrous capsule and otherwise extending to the edges of the section. The neoplastic mass is arranged in an alternating pattern of loosely assembled and more densely grouped cells. Cells are arranged in lobules, elongate packets, cords and in perivascular palisades of one to four cell layers. Lobules have central variably-sized spaces containing amorphous eosinophilic material admixed with amphophilic to basophilic fibrils, or they contain pyknotic cells or mineralized cell debris. The cell groupings are separated by a delicate fibrovascular stroma. Neoplastic cells are large (15 - 25 µm), polyhedral, have indistinct borders and abundant granular amphophilic cytoplasm. Nuclei are 10-20 µm, round to oval, centrally located, and contain finely-dispersed granular chromatin and 1 to 3 conspicuous nucleoli. Moderate numbers of cells with pyknotic nuclei are interspersed throughout the mass. The mitotic index is low ( less than 2/ Hpf).
Small groupings of non-neoplastic medullary cells arranged in nests and cords are separated by thick parallel bands of moderately vascularized fibrous tissue. In a few areas, cords of neoplastic cells from the underlying mass extend into and appear contiguous with medullary tissues.
Pheochromocytomas are the most common tumors of the adrenal medulla of animals. They occur most often in dogs and cattle, have also been reported in the horse, cat, and rat, but overall are infrequent neoplasms of animals. They are often incidental findings at necropsy. Functional pheochromocytomas can produce signs related to excessive catecholamine secretion such as tachycardia and dependent edema. Metastases are rare, except in dogs, but pheochromocytomas have a tendency to invade local tissues, especially the caudal vena cava, where neoplastic emboli may be seen.
The pheochromocytoma was considered to be an incidental finding in this case and not related to the primary disease caused by M. bovis infection. Differential diagnosis for gross lesions includes adrenal cortical adenoma/ carcinoma, neuroblastoma, and lymphoma.
Case 3. Adrenal gland. Polygonal cells are infiltrating tumor capsule. (20x obj)
AFIP Diagnosis:
Adrenal gland: Adrenocortical carcinoma, Holstein, bovine.
Conference Note: Although careful consideration was given to the contributor's diagnosis, a majority of the conference participants favored adrenocortical carcinoma. Distinguishing between pheochromocytomas and adrenocortical carcinomas is sometimes difficult. Features which were considered to be significant in the diagnosis of this case included an absence of fine granulation in the neoplastic cells, multifocal mineralization, and scattered foci of necrosis. A Cherukian-Schenk (argyrophilic) stain performed at the AFIP was non-contributory due to non-specific staining. Likewise, immunohistochemical stains for synaptophysin and neuron specific enolase were not helpful due to lack of staining of internal positive controls. This case was reviewed by the AFIP's Division of Endocrine Pathology, whose pathologists unanimously agreed that the tumor is more likely an adrenocortical carcinoma than a pheochromocytoma, though the pattern differs from what is usually seen in human cases. They would also like to exclude the possibility of metastasis from another site.
Adrenal cortical carcinomas have been reported most often in cattle, dogs, and ferrets. They are usually larger than cortical adenomas and, in dogs, are more likely to be bilateral. In cattle, bilateral involvement is seldom observed, and metastasis is rare. In sheep, up to 40 percent of cortical carcinomas metastasize to other organs. Often, they invade extensively into surrounding tissues, including the caudal vena cava. Carcinomas may attain considerable size in cattle (up to 25 cm). Multiple areas of mineralization or ossification, hemorrhage, and necrosis are common findings in adrenocortical tumors of cattle. Functional tumors are associated with atrophy of the contralateral adrenal cortex via negative feedback inhibition of pituitary ACTH secretion.
Contributor: USDA/ARS/National Animal Disease Center, 2300 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
International Veterinary Pathology Slide Bank:
Laser disc frame #8215, 10693, 14784, 23782
Signalment: 7-year-old male Bernese Mountain Dog.
History: The dog developed sudden unilateral hyphema and glaucoma. Ophthalmic examination identified a white mass in the ventral anterior chamber. The eye was enucleated and submitted for biopsy.
Gross Pathology: The globe was symmetrically enlarged. An oval, well- demarcated 2-3 mm ulceration of the central cornea was present. On section, the iris and anterior segments of the uvea were widened, firm, and dark brown to black.
Laboratory Results: None available.
Contributor's Diagnoses and Comments:
The normal anatomy of the filtration angle, iris, and ciliary body is effaced and expanded by an unencapsulated, infiltrative, cellular mass with lateral borders that extend through the width of the sclera. The mass consists of densely packed sheets and aggregates of pleomorphic round cells. Individual cells are large with abundant eosinophilic, often vacuolated cytoplasm, and generally distinct cytoplasmic borders. Nuclei are variable in shape and size with coarsely clumped or marginated chromatin and one to multiple nucleoli. Mitotic figures average 2-7 per high power field and often have bizarre morphology. Interspersed among these cells are multinucleated giant cells. There is phagocytosis of cellular debris and inflammatory cells by mononuclear and multinucleated cells. The cellular morphology of large pleomorphic mononuclear cells and multinucleated giant cells with abundant often vacuolated cytoplasm, as well as the observation that these cells are actively phagocytic suggests a histiocytic origin. Changes in the cornea and retina are considered secondary to glaucoma due to neoplastic obliteration of the filtration angle. An additional biopsy of a subcutaneous mass from this animal was composed of neoplastic cells of similar morphology to those infiltrating the eye.
Malignant histiocytosis is a familial disease of Bernese Mountain Dogs
most predominantly affecting aging male dogs (mean age of onset 7 years).
The disorder has a rapidly progressive clinical course and is characterized
by proliferation of atypical histiocytic cells within multiple organ systems.
Pulmonary, splenic, and hepatic involvement occurs with high frequency.
The
eye and skin are rarely affected. In case studies, ultrastructural morphology
and immunohistochemical demonstration of lysozyme and alpha-1-antitrypsin
in the proliferating cells is consistent with a macrophage origin.
Malignant histiocytosis is clinically and pathologically distinct from systemic histiocytosis, which also has a familial occurrence in the Bernese Mountain Dog. Systemic histiocytosis occurs in younger dogs (mean age of onset 4 years) and has a prolonged fluctuating clinical course. The skin and peripheral lymph nodes are commonly affected. In this disorder, infiltrating histiocytic cells lack cellular atypia and multinucleated giant cells are rare.
Case 4. Pleomorphic histiocytes & histiocytic giant cells are invading scleral collagen. (10x obj).
AFIP Diagnoses:
Conference Note: Conference participants agreed with the contributor's
comments. Malignant melanoma and malignant histiocytosis were considered
in the differential diagnosis. Malignant histiocytosis was favored due to
a variety of factors, including evidence of phagocytosis by the neoplastic
cells, the presence of many multinucleated cells, and the breed of the dog.
Contributor: University of Connecticut, Department of Pathobiology,
U- 89, 61 North Eagleville, Storrs, CT 06269-3089.
International Veterinary Pathology Slide Bank:
Laser disc frame: None.
Terrell W. Blanchard
Major, VC, USA
Registry of Veterinary Pathology*
Department of Veterinary Pathology
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
(202)782-2615; DSN: 662-2615
Internet: blanchard@email.afip.osd.mil
* The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists are co-sponsors of the Registry of Veterinary Pathology. The C.L. Davis Foundation also provides substantial support for the Registry.