Clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic features in dogs with presumptive large granular lymphocyte leukaemia.

Large granular lymphocytic leukaemia (LGLL) has been described in a range of species but has been most commonly reported in humans and dogs. In both species, this neoplasia exhibits diversity in both phenotype and biological behaviour with phenotype only partially predicting behaviour. There is currently little knowledge of concurrent haematological and serum biochemistry features or concurrent occurrence of distinct neoplasia in canine LGLL cases. This study presents a canine case series and defines haematological parameters, novel serum biochemistry findings and phenotype of the large granular lymphocytes in an Australian case series. Neutrophilia was the most common haematological abnormality, identified in 43% of dogs, and 84% of dogs with biochemistry data available had elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transferase. Five of the 40 dogs in this study exhibited concurrent neoplasia during the period of the study, demonstrating this is a relatively common clinical outcome in canine LGLL cases. In agreement with previous canine and human studies, the most common LGLL phenotype in dogs is CD3+, CD4- and CD8+. Further work is needed to define the variables predictive of the biological behaviour of LGLL in dogs.

Haemoprotozoa in wild short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus).

The occurrence and clinical significance of the protozoal parasite reported as Hepatozoon tachyglossi in wild short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossis aculeatus) have long been uncertain, as has its potential as a prognostic indicator. This retrospective survey of free-ranging short-beaked echidnas admitted to a wildlife hospital used morphological evidence to identify a H. tachyglossi prevalence of 56%, with parasitaemias affecting 0%-36% of monocytes. There was no statistical association between H. tachyglossi intensity and clinical status (P-value = 0.12; 95% confidence interval = 0.1 to 1.3), nor between the presence of H. tachyglossi and age, reason for admission, outcome, season or location. Piroplasms, presumed to be Theileria tachyglossi, were concurrently identified in the erythrocytes of 88% of short-beaked echidnas with no association between age, outcome, season or location, but a statistical association with the location where the animal was found (either on a road, airport runway, exposed urban area, or entangled). Given the current results, intracellular parasitism due to H. tachyglossi may be considered as an incidental finding on haematologic examination of short-beaked echidnas and is likely not an effective prognostic indicator. Further research using molecular tools is required to resolve the uncertain identity of H. tachyglossi which has been based on morphologic characteristics alone.

Confirmed case of Pneumocystis pneumonia in a Maltese Terrier × Papillon dog being treated with toceranib phosphate.

CASE REPORT: A 7-year-old female-neutered Maltese Terrier × Papillon dog was presented with tachypnoea and weight loss following 12 months of therapy with toceranib phosphate for a metastatic, histologically-low-grade mast cell tumour. The dog was diagnosed with Pneumocystis canis based on PCR with supportive clinical, radiographic and cytological findings. No other clinical evidence of immunocompromise was identified through assessment of haematology and immunoglobulin quantification. Clinical signs completely resolved with a short course of potentiated sulfonamides and discontinuation of the toceranib. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge this represents the first case of Pneumocystis in a dog secondary to immunomodulatory drug therapy. It is also the first case of opportunist infection secondary to a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in dogs.

Neosporosis in a young dog presenting with dermatitis and neuromuscular signs.

A 16-week-old, male boxer dog developed multifocal nodular dermatitis followed by rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease. Protozoal tachyzoites were demonstrated by aspiration and biopsy of dermal lesions. Necropsy and histology revealed necrotising inflammation associated with intralesional protozoal organisms in various organs including the brain, heart, skeletal muscle and skin. Serology suggested active infection with Neospora caninum. Immunohistochemistry provided a definitive diagnosis. Dermatitis is a finding rarely associated with juvenile neosporosis. The possible role of immunosuppression is discussed.