Diferencia en la población de células cebadas de glándulas apocrinas de sacos anales de perros adultos y seniles / Difference in the population of mast cells of anal sac apocrine glands of adult and senile dogs

Se estudió la población de células cebadas (CC) presentes en sacos anales de perros adultos y seniles mediante su conteo en cortes de tejido procesado con la técnica de inclusión en parafina y teñidos con azul de toluidina. El promedio de CC obtenido para el grupo de perros adultos jóvenes fue de 18,16 +/- 7,58 (n=12 perros) y para el grupos de adultos maduros fue de 73,75 +/- 16,29 (n=12 perros). Al comparar el número de células de ambos grupos con la prueba de U Mann-Withney se encontró que son significativamente diferentes (P< 0,0001), siendo mayor en el grupo de perros seniles. Esta mayor población de CC puede estar relacionada con una mayor susceptibilidad de los perros seniles a reacciones inflamatorias del tejido de los sacos anales causadas por cambios en la dieta, obesidad y diarrea crónica.

We studied the population of mast cells (CC) present in anal sacs of adult and senile dogs by its count in tissue processed with the technique of embedding in paraffin and stained with toluidine blue. The average CC obtained for the group of adult dogs (n=12) was 18.16 +/- 7.58 and for group of senile dogs (n=12) was 73.75 +/- 16.29. When comparing the number of cells in both groups with Mann-Whitney U test were found to be significantly different (P0.0001), being higher in the group of senile dogs. The largest population of CC may be related to an increased susceptibility of senile dogs to inflammatory reactions in the tissue of the anal sacs caused by changes in diet, obesity and chronic diarrhea.

Comparison of anal sac cytological findings and behaviour in clinically normal dogs and those affected with anal sac disease.

No previous study has explored the relationship between cytology and the frequency of behaviours associated with anal sac disease (ASD). The goals of the study were: (i) to compare the cytological findings between anal sac secretions from normal dogs with no history of ASD to those with non-neoplastic ASD; (ii) to determine whether anal sac cytological findings can be used to differentiate between normal dogs and dogs with ASD; (iii) to explore the correlation of anal sac cytology and behaviour between normal dogs and dogs with ASD; and (iv) to describe behaviours typical of ASD as reported by owners. Thirty dogs were selected for this study, based on their behavioural history as detailed in a questionnaire completed by their owners. Of the thirty dogs, ten were considered normal insofar as they had no history of ASD clinical signs. The remaining 20 dogs were characterized as having ASD, with a chronic history of perianal pruritus, but no other pruritus. All dogs had their anal sacs manually expressed, and the discharge was examined microscopically in a blinded manner. A total of 171 oil immersion fields (OIFs) were examined from normal dogs and 333 OIFs from dogs with ASD. The behavioural results for dogs with ASD revealed that scooting recurred with a median frequency of 3 weeks post-anal sac expression. There were no clinically statistically significant cytological differences between normal dogs and those with ASD, thereby leading to the conclusion that cytology is an ineffective tool for diagnosing ASD.

Gross and cytological characteristics of normal feline anal-sac secretions.

This study was conducted to characterize the gross and cytological characteristics of secretions from normal feline anal sacs. Thirty cats with no recent history of anal-sac disease were selected consecutively and their anal sacs manually expressed. The color, cell counts, or presence of solid portions of the secretions in the youngest cats (<1 year old) were not significantly different from the rest. Young cats (<1 year old) tended to more often have watery secretions. The secretions contained 13 (median) epithelial cells per 600x magnification microscopic field, basophilic background debris, and a mixture of Gram-positive cocci (83 per field; median), Gram-negative cocci (38 per field; median), and Gram-negative rods (1.8 per field; median). Most secretions had occasional neutrophils, and a minority of cats had occasional yeasts in their secretion. Erythrocytes were found only rarely. Extreme heterogeneity existed in gross color, consistency, and amount of solid material. Hence, these latter parameters would not be valid indicators of anal-sac disease.

Cytology of subcutaneous glandular tissues.

This article deals with the cytologic appearance of various glandular tissues located in the subcutaneous tissues. Normal cytologic features are described. In addition, inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic, and hyperplastic changes are discussed. Most of these features are depicted in the 60+ photomicrographs that are distributed throughout the article. Many of the changes are similar in the glands, and it is usually possible to differentiate the gland of origin based on cytologic appearances. Subcutaneous neoplasms that are not associated with a subcutaneous gland, and lymph node cytology are not covered in this article but are addressed elsewhere.