Recurrent Feline Mammary Fibroadenomatous Hyperplasia in a Cat During Gestation.

Feline mammary fibroadenomatous hyperplasia (FMFH) is an extensive proliferation of feline mammary tissues in response to endogenous or exogenous progestogens. The treatment of choice for FMFH is anti-progestins or ovariohysterectomy (OVH). OVH if there is no intention of breeding the queen. This report describes a case of recurrent FMFH in an 11-month-old female Maine Coon cat. The condition was successfully treated with aglepristone during its first occurrence but recurred during the cat's subsequent gestation. OVH was performed along with aglepristone administration, resulting in complete regression of FMFH 21 days after aglepristone injection. The recurrence of FMFH successful treatment is well described; however, this case illustrates the necessity for further discussion regarding the utilisation of cats previously diagnosed with FMFH for breeding purposes.

Hyperplastic ovarian stromal cells express genes associated to tumor progression: a case study.

The current study presents the analysis of stromal cells obtained from an hyperplastic left-ovary of a Holstein cow. Cultured hyperplastic stromal cells displayed a fibroblast-like morphology and ceased proliferation after the 8th passage. The non-cancerous nature of stromal cells was confirmed by in vitro cell proliferation and migration assays. Negligible amounts of E2 were detected in the spent media of cultured stromal cells, which suggests that stromal cells were non-estradiol synthesizing cells. As revealed in immunofluorescence and gene expression analysis, the hyperplastic stromal cells explicitly expressed vimentin in their cytoskeleton. Upon hematoxylin staining, a highly dense population of stromal cells was observed in the stromal tissue of the hyperplastic ovary. To explore genome-wide alterations, mRNA microarray analysis was performed using Affymetrix Bovine Gene 1.0ST Arrays compared to normal ovarian derived stromal cells. The microarray identified 1396 differentially expressed genes, of which 733 were up- and 663 down-regulated in hyperplastic stromal cells. Importantly, asporin (ASPN) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) were among the highly up-regulated genes. Higher expression of ASPN was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR analysis. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) identified about 98 significantly enriched (-log (p value ≥ 1.3) canonical pathways, importantly of which the "Sirutin Signaling Pathway" and "Mitochondrial Dysfunction" were highly activated while "Oxidative phosphorylation" was inhibited. Additionally, higher proportion of hyperplastic stromal cells in the S-phase of cell cycle, could be attributed to higher expression levels of cell proliferation genes such as CCND2 and CDK6.

GASTRIC POLYPOID HYPERPLASIA IN MORAY EELS (MURAENIDAE): EIGHT CASES.

Gastric and intestinal mucosal hyperplasia and polyps are identified as a cause of morbidity and mortality in moray eels. This report describes the clinical presentations, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic interventions in eight moray eels diagnosed with gastric polypoid hyperplasia. All described cases were humanely euthanized or found deceased, and multifocal adenomatous hyperplasia and polyps extending from the gastric mucosal epithelium were identified in all cases. The moray eels diagnosed with adenomatous hyperplasia and polyps often exhibited anorexia, regurgitation, and occasional changes in buoyancy, and supportive care was unsuccessful in alleviating or resolving these signs.

Keratinocytes drive the epithelial hyperplasia key to sea lice resistance in coho salmon.

BACKGROUND: Salmonid species have followed markedly divergent evolutionary trajectories in their interactions with sea lice. While sea lice parasitism poses significant economic, environmental, and animal welfare challenges for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) aquaculture, coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) exhibit near-complete resistance to sea lice, achieved through a potent epithelial hyperplasia response leading to rapid louse detachment. The molecular mechanisms underlying these divergent responses to sea lice are unknown. RESULTS: We characterized the cellular and molecular responses of Atlantic salmon and coho salmon to sea lice using single-nuclei RNA sequencing. Juvenile fish were exposed to copepodid sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis), and lice-attached pelvic fin and skin samples were collected 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h, and 60 h after exposure, along with control samples. Comparative analysis of control and treatment samples revealed an immune and wound-healing response that was common to both species, but attenuated in Atlantic salmon, potentially reflecting greater sea louse immunomodulation. Our results revealed unique but complementary roles of three layers of keratinocytes in the epithelial hyperplasia response leading to rapid sea lice rejection in coho salmon. Our results suggest that basal keratinocytes direct the expansion and mobility of intermediate and, especially, superficial keratinocytes, which eventually encapsulate the parasite. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the key role of keratinocytes in coho salmon's sea lice resistance and the diverged biological response of the two salmonid host species when interacting with this parasite. This study has identified key pathways and candidate genes that could be manipulated using various biotechnological solutions to improve Atlantic salmon sea lice resistance.

Ovarian hyperplasia linked to a mutation in MAN1A2 in a cow with excessive follicular growth and functional oocytes.

Here we report the case of a cow with two ovaries that each exhibited hyperplasia but that otherwise had normal gross morphology. Both ovaries had a large number of tertiary follicles on the ovarian surface. Oocytes from one ovary were studied in more detail. The transcriptome was largely similar to other oocytes. Oocytes could undergo cleavage at a rate consistent with other oocytes and result in blastocyst-stage embryo formation after in vitro maturation and fertilization. Review of the literature from cattle and other species did not reveal reports of a similar type of spontaneous ovarian abnormality. Whole genome sequencing revealed many single nucleotide polymorphisms with predicted large effects on protein structure that could potentially be causative for the phenotype. The variant considered most likely to cause the observed alteration in ovarian function was a mutation in the glycoprotein-modifying enzyme MAN1A2.

Genetic Disruption of cyp21a2 Leads to Systemic Glucocorticoid Deficiency and Tissues Hyperplasia in the Teleost Fish Medaka (Oryzias latipes).

cytochrome P-450, 21-hydroxylase (cyp21a2), encodes an enzyme required for cortisol biosynthesis, and its mutations are the major genetic cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in humans. Here, we have generated a null allele for the medaka cyp21a2 with a nine base-pair insertion which led to a truncated protein. We have observed a delay in hatching and a low survival rate in homozygous mutants. The interrenal gland (adrenal counterpart in teleosts) exhibits hyperplasia and the number of pomca-expressing cells in the pituitary increases in the homozygous mutant. A mass spectrometry-based analysis of whole larvae confirmed a lack of cortisol biosynthesis, while its corresponding precursors were significantly increased, indicating a systemic glucocorticoid deficiency in our mutant model. Furthermore, these phenotypes at the larval stage are rescued by cortisol. In addition, females showed complete sterility with accumulated follicles in the ovary while male homozygous mutants were fully fertile in the adult mutants. These results demonstrate that the mutant medaka recapitulates several aspects of cyp21a2-deficiency observed in humans, making it a valuable model for studying steroidogenesis in CAH.

Association between a genetic index for digital dermatitis resistance and the presence of digital dermatitis, heel horn erosion, and interdigital hyperplasia in Holstein cows.

Digital dermatitis (DD) is a polybacterial disease endemic to most UK dairy farms. It poses a major financial and welfare threat and is characterized by high incidence and recurrence rates. We aimed to investigate the association between the UK EBV for resistance to digital dermatitis, the digital dermatitis index (DDI), and the frequency of DD, heel horn erosion (HHE), and interdigital hyperplasia (IH) in a population of Holstein dairy cows. We enrolled and genotyped 2,352 cows from 4 farms in a prospective cohort study. Foot lesion records were recorded by veterinary surgeons for each animal at 4 time points during a production cycle, starting at approximately 2 mo before calving and ending in late lactation. Importantly, these records were not used in the calculation of the DDI. Lesion records were matched to the animal's own DDI (n = 2,101) and their sire's DDI (n = 1,812). Digital dermatitis index values in our study population ranged from -1.41 to +1.2 and were transformed to represent distance from the mean expressed in SD. The relationship between the DDI and the presence of DD was investigated using a logistic regression model, with farm, parity, and a farm-parity interaction fitted as covariates. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to evaluate the relationship between HHE and DDI with farm fitted as a covariate. Finally, a univariable logistic regression model with DDI as explanatory variable was used to investigate the relationship between IH and DDI. The odds ratio of an animal being affected by DD was 0.69 for 1 SD increase in the animal's DDI (95% CI = 0.63-0.76). The odds of HHE and IH were 0.69 (95% CI = 0.62-0.76) and 0.58 (95% CI = 0.49-0.68) respectively for 1 SD increase in DDI. The adjusted probability of DD was 32% (95% CI = 27-36%) for cows with mean DDI value of 0, while it was 24% (95% CI = 20-29%) in cows with a DDI value of +1. Sire DDI breeding values were standardized in the same way and then binned into terciles creating an ordinal variable representing bulls of high, medium, and low genetic merit for DD resistance. The daughters of low genetic merit bulls were at 2.05 (95% CI = 1.60-2.64), 1.96 (95% CI = 1.53-2.50), and 2.85 (95% CI = 1.64-5.16) times greater odds of being affected by DD, HHE, and IH, respectively, compared with the daughters of high genetic merit bulls. The results of this study highlight the potential of digital dermatitis genetic indexes to aid herd management of DD, and suggest that breeding for resistance to DD, alongside environmental and management control practices, could reduce the prevalence of the disease.

Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2)-associated benign penile lesions and squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common genital, ocular and gastric tumour in horses. Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) DNA has been detected in several studies in equine penile squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and precursor lesions providing evidence of a causal role of EcPV2 in equine genital SCCs. Recently, EcPV2 E6/E7 nucleic acids were also detected in equine gastric SCCs, but further studies are required to determine the role of EcPV2 infection in the pathogenesis of gastric SCC. EcPV2 nucleic acids have been rarely described in ocular SCCs and precursor lesions. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the presence of EcPV2 nucleic acids with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridisation (ISH) in penile hyperplasias, papillomas and SCCs in horses and to determine whether EcPV2 nucleic acids can be detected in SCCs affecting other locations, including the stomach, ocular tissues and larynx. METHODS: Twenty-one archival formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, including 12 genital lesions comprising penile hyperplasias, papillomas and SCCs, 6 ocular SCCs, 2 gastric SCCs and 1 laryngeal SCC, were screened by PCR and ISH for EcPV2 E6/E7 DNA and mRNA. Archival FFPE tissue samples (eyelid and penile mucosa and preputium) from six horses without a diagnosis or history of neoplastic or papillomavirus-associated disease were included as controls. RESULTS: EcPV2 nucleic acids were detected by PCR and ISH in all genital lesions (12/12) and gastric SCCs (2/2), in two ocular SCCs (2/6) and in one laryngeal SCC (1/1). In control horses, one eyelid sample was positive in PCR but not in ISH. The remaining control samples were negative for EcPV2 E6/E7 nucleic acids in PCR and ISH. CONCLUSIONS: These results further support the role of EcPV2 infection in the development of equine genital SCCs and suggest that EcPV2 infection may also act as a predisposing factor for other SCCs in horses, including gastric, ocular and laryngeal SCCs.

Verminous pneumonia in European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus).

The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is a common wildlife species in European countries. Populations are declining due to anthropogenic factors and natural diseases. Verminous pneumonia has been observed as a frequent infectious disease in hedgehogs submitted for diagnostic postmortem examination. This prompted the present in-depth investigation on the lungs of 27 necropsied hedgehogs with confirmed lungworm infections, with or without antiparasitic treatment prior to death. The histological and/or parasitic (fecal samples) examination identified Capillaria aerophila infection in most animals (82%). The parasites were found free in the airway lumen and/or within the airway epithelium, from the larynx to bronchioles. Embedded worms and eggs were associated with epithelial hyperplasia or metaplasia, and long-term inflammation. More than half of the animals (59%) carried Crenosoma striatum, and 41% had a coinfection. C striatum adults were predominantly found free in the lumen of bronchi and bronchioles, and larvae were occasionally seen in granulomas in the pulmonary interstitium, the liver, and the intestine. Independent of the parasite species, a lymphoplasmacytic peribronchitis and, less frequently, interstitial infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, and macrophages as well as pneumocyte type II hyperplasia was seen. Interestingly, the extent of pneumonia was not correlated with age, respiratory clinical signs, antiparasitic treatment, or single or coinfection. Verminous pneumonia appeared to be the cause of death in over 25% of the animals, indicating that these parasites not only coexist with hedgehogs but can also be a primary pathogen in this species.

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia in the lungs of a wild Korean raccoon dog.

A male Korean raccoon dog of unknown age was rescued and placed at the Daejeon Wildlife Rescue Center, Korea. Physical examination revealed severe emaciation and dehydration, as well as thick crusts and alopecia over most of the body. During medical care, the animal died and was submitted for postmortem examination. Firm, brown-red lesions of various sizes were observed on the surface of the lungs. In cross-sections of the lungs, pulmonary vessels were thickened and dilated, with white irregular papillary luminal projections. Histologically, pulmonary blood vessels were severely hyperplastic, characterized by thickened dilated walls and fibrous papillary projections covered with a single layer of endothelial cells (ECs). Hyperplastic fibrous connective tissue was confirmed by Masson trichrome staining. The ECs expressed CD31. We diagnosed the lesion as intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia, a unique non-neoplastic reactive process that has not been reported previously in pulmonary vessels of canids, equids, or felids, to our knowledge.

Nodular hyperplasia of lymphoglandular complexes in dogs: A potential diagnostic pitfall for rectal masses.

Lymphoglandular complexes are components of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue that are characterized by submucosal lymphoid aggregates invested by projections of mucosal epithelium. Reports of pathology involving these structures are rare in both human and veterinary literature. Here, the authors report 2 cases of rectal masses excised from dogs following a period of tenesmus and hematochezia. In both animals, the masses were composed of lymphoid tissue closely encompassing tubuloacinar structures. Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction antigen receptor rearrangement testing demonstrated that the lymphoid population was polyclonal, comprising T and B cells arranged in loosely follicular aggregates centered on the epithelial foci. In light of these findings, a diagnosis of lymphoglandular complex nodular hyperplasia was reported. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of this condition in dogs.

Genome-wide association and functional genomic analyses for various hoof health traits in North American Holstein cattle.

Hoof diseases are a major welfare and economic issue in the global dairy cattle production industry, which can be minimized through improved management and breeding practices. Optimal genetic improvement of hoof health could benefit from a deep understanding of the genetic background and biological underpinning of indicators of hoof health. Therefore, the primary objectives of this study were to perform genome-wide association studies, using imputed high-density genetic markers data from North American Holstein cattle, for 8 hoof-related traits: digital dermatitis, sole ulcer, sole hemorrhage, white line lesion, heel horn erosion, interdigital dermatitis, interdigital hyperplasia, and toe ulcer, and a hoof health index. De-regressed estimated breeding values from 25,580 Holstein animals were used as pseudo-phenotypes for the association analyses. The genomic quality control, genotype phasing, and genotype imputation were performed using the PLINK (version 1.9), Eagle (version 2.4.1), and Minimac4 software, respectively. The functional genomic analyses were performed using the GALLO R package and the DAVID platform. We identified 22, 34, 14, 22, 28, 33, 24, 43, and 15 significant markers for digital dermatitis, heel horn erosion, interdigital dermatitis, interdigital hyperplasia, sole hemorrhage, sole ulcer, toe ulcer, white line lesion disease, and the hoof health index, respectively. The significant markers were located across all autosomes, except BTA10, BTA12, BTA20, BTA26, BTA27, and BTA28. Moreover, the genomic regions identified overlap with various previously reported quantitative trait loci for exterior, health, meat and carcass, milk, production, and reproduction traits. The enrichment analyses identified 44 significant gene ontology terms. These enriched genomic regions harbor various candidate genes previously associated with bone development, metabolism, and infectious and immunological diseases. These findings indicate that hoof health traits are highly polygenic and influenced by a wide range of biological processes.

Severe bronchiectasis resulting from chronic bacterial bronchitis and bronchopneumonia in a jungle cat.

Bronchiectasis is irreversible bronchial dilation that can be congenital or acquired secondary to chronic airway obstruction. Feline bronchiectasis is rare and, to our knowledge, has not been reported previously in a non-domestic felid. An ~10-y-old female jungle cat (Felis chaus) was presented for evaluation of an abdominal mass and suspected pulmonary metastasis. The animal died during exploratory laparotomy and was submitted for postmortem examination. Gross examination revealed consolidation of the left caudal lung lobe and hila of the cranial lung lobes. Elsewhere in the lungs were several pale-yellow pleural foci of endogenous lipid pneumonia. On cut section, there was severe distension of bronchi with abundant white mucoid fluid. The remaining lung lobes were multifocally expanded by marginal emphysema. Histologically, ectatic bronchi, bronchioles, and fewer alveoli contained degenerate neutrophils, fibrin, and mucin (suppurative bronchopneumonia) with rare gram-negative bacteria. Aerobic culture yielded low growth of Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli. There was chronic bronchitis, marked by moderate bronchial gland hyperplasia, lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, and lymphoid hyperplasia. The palpated abdominal mass was a uterine endometrial polyp, which was considered an incidental, but novel, finding. Chronic bronchitis and bronchopneumonia should be considered as a cause of bronchiectasis and a differential diagnosis for respiratory disease in non-domestic felids.

Dermoscopic features of benign sebaceous proliferations in dogs: Description, assessment and inter-observer agreement.

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a useful, noninvasive technique also used to assess sebaceous lesions in humans. Sebaceous hyperplasia, sebaceous adenoma and sebaceous epithelioma are common cutaneous lesions in dogs; however, their dermoscopic features have not been investigated. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to describe the dermoscopic features of canine sebaceous lesions and to assess the interobserver agreement on dermoscopic parameters. ANIMALS: Thirty-four lesions excised from 17 client-owned dogs, histologically confirmed as sebaceous proliferations, were included in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sebaceous lesions were evaluated in vivo at ×10 magnification with a handheld dermoscope. Each dermoscopic image was assessed independently by two ECVD board-certified veterinary referral clinicians and an ECVD resident. RESULTS: Thirty sebaceous hyperplasias, two sebaceous adenomas and two sebaceous epitheliomas were included. Dermoscopically, most lesions (91%) had single or multiple, well-defined, white-yellowish structures composed of grouped ovoid areas (clods). Irregular linear and, less commonly, arborising vessels were detected at the periphery of the yellow lobular-like structures in 93% of sebaceous hyperplasias and in 50% of neoplastic lesions. Erosions were seen in 6% of sebaceous hyperplasias and 50% of neoplastic lesions. Good interobserver agreement was found for white/yellowish clods (k = 0.75), yellow scales (k = 0.83), brown/grey dots (k = 0.80), erosions (k = 0.82) and red/brownish scales/crusts (k = 0.75). There was moderate agreement for fissures (k = 0.48) and vascular pattern (k = 0.51-0.53). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dermoscopy represents a useful technique to assess sebaceous gland proliferations in dogs, as it is in humans.

In ovo probiotic supplementation promotes muscle growth and development in broiler embryos.

In chickens, muscle development during embryonic growth is predominantly by myofiber hyperplasia. Following hatch, muscle growth primarily occurs via hypertrophy of the existing myofibers. Since myofiber number is set at hatch, production of more muscle fibers during embryonic growth would provide a greater myofiber number at hatch and potential for posthatch muscle growth by hypertrophy. Therefore, to improve performance in broilers, this study investigated the effect of in ovo spray application of probiotics on overall morphometry and muscle development in broiler embryos. For the study, fertile Ross 308 eggs were sprayed with different probiotics; Lactobacillus paracasei DUP 13076 (LP) and L. rhamnosus NRRL B 442 (LR) prior to and during incubation. The embryos were sacrificed on d 7, 10, 14, and 18 for embryo morphometry and pectoralis major muscle (PMM) sampling. Muscle sections were stained and imaged to quantify muscle fiber density (MFD), myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA), and nuclei density. Additionally, gene expression assays were performed to elucidate the effect of probiotics on myogenic genes. In ovo probiotic supplementation was found to significantly improve embryo weight, breast weight, and leg weight (P < 0.05). Further, histological analysis of PMM revealed a significant increase in MFD and nuclei number in the probiotic-treated embryos when compared to the control (P < 0.05). In 18-day-old broiler embryos, myofibers in the treatment group had a significantly smaller CSA (LP: 95.27 ± 3.28 µm2, LR: 178.84 ± 15.1 µm2) when compared to the control (211.41 ± 15.67 µm2). This decrease in CSA was found to be associated with a concomitant increase in MFD (fibers/mm2) in the LP (13,647 ± 482.15) and LR (13,957 ± 463.13) group when compared to the control (7,680 ± 406.78). Additionally, this increase in myofibrillar hyperplasia in the treatment groups was associated with upregulation in the expression of key genes regulating muscle growth including MYF5, MYOD, MYOG, and IGF-1. In summary, in ovo spray application of probiotics promoted overall embryo growth and muscle development in broilers.

TRIM25 participates in the fibrous tissue hyperplasia induced by ALV-J infection in chickens by targeting 14-3-3σ protein.

ALV-J-SD1005 strain was subcutaneously inoculated into the necks of 1-day-old HY-Line Brown chickens and caused severe growth retardation, viremia and subcutaneous fibrosarcomas in the necks of all infected chickens from 14 days post inoculation (DPI) to 21 DPI, and also significantly increased the expressions of TRIM25, P53, etc., but significantly decreased the expressions of 14-3-3σ, etc. Overexpression of chicken TRIM25 (chTRIM25) significantly promoted cell proliferation and improved the expressions of P53, CDC2, and CDK2 tumor factors; and significantly inhibited the expression of 14-3-3σ in ALV-J-SD1005-infected DF1 cells; but knockdown of chTRIM25 caused the opposite effects. The results of co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and confocal microscopy confirmed that chTRIM25 can recognize and bind 14-3-3σ protein in ALV-J-SD1005-infected cells, and they were co-located in the cytoplasm. It can be concluded that chTRIM25 participates in the fibrous tissue hyperplasia induced by ALV-J-SD1005 infections in chickens by binding 14-3-3σ protein and regulating the expressions of 14-3-3σ, P53, CDC2, and CDK2.

Contrast-enhanced CT features of pyloric lesions in 17 dogs: Case series.

Pyloric outflow obstructions can be caused by several types of lesions. When a thickened gastric wall and pyloric mass are detected, malignant neoplasia must be differentiated from chronic hypertrophic pyloric gastropathy. CT can characterize gastric tumors. However, based on the authors' review of the literature, there is limited information about the CT findings of pyloric lesions. The purpose of this retrospective case series study was to assess the CT findings of canine pyloric lesions. The following CT parameters were recorded: anatomical area, involved area, lesion shape, growth patterns of wall thickening lesions, enhancement pattern of the lesion in the early and delayed phases, lymphomegaly, and pulmonary metastasis. Seventeen dogs were included in this study and had the following final diagnoses: hyperplasia (five dogs), adenoma (five dogs), adenocarcinoma (three dogs), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST; two dogs), polyposis (one dog), and pyogenic granuloma (one dog). Hyperplasia, adenoma, and polyposis formed mass lesions that involved the mucosal layer. Lymphomegaly was detected in two Jack Russell terriers with hyperplasia; however, the causes were unknown because we did not perform biopsies. All adenocarcinomas formed wall-thickened lesion that involved the outer layer, with lymphomegaly. All GISTs formed mass lesion that involved the outer layer. The pyogenic granulomas formed symmetric wall-thickened lesion that involved the mucosal and outer layers. CT facilitated the characterization of canine pyloric lesions using contrast enhancement, based on the involved area and lesion shape. However, polyposis may require caution in diagnosis based on CT findings alone.

Cyclosporine induced generalized hyperkeratosis in a dog.

INTRODUCTION: Cyclosporine is a potent immunosuppressive agent used in veterinary medicine to treat a variety of inflammatory or immune mediated conditions. Many adverse effects are associated with this medication, however most of them rarely occur. A 5-year-old, female intact French bulldog was presented with multiple, multifocally distributed, severe hyperkeratotic and papillomatous/verrucous plaques. The dog was on long-term immunosuppressive treatment with cyclosporine for meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO). It had an history of atopic dermatitis and calcinosis cutis. A papillomavirus infection was excluded by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histopathologic analysis revealed a chronic lymphoplasmacytic non-specific dermatitis, perifolliculitis and periadnexitis and focal folliculitis with papillomatous epidermal hyperplasia and orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis. The diagnosis of "cyclosporine-induced epidermal hyperplasia with secondary pyoderma" was made. Cyclosporine was discontinued and as an alternative mycophenolate mofetil was started to control the MUO. An antimicrobial treatment was prescribed for three weeks. After four months, the skin lesions had healed completely. To date after 2 years, the dog is still in remission. The occurrence of hyperplastic lesions associated with cyclosporine therapy have already been described in previous reports. Most of them resemble those of psoriasiform lichenoid dermatitis, although papilloma virus may be detected in some instances. The dog of the present case showed some peculiarities in the histopathological findings, and a papillomavirus involvement was ruled out with PCR. Like observed in a previous report, there was no correlation between cyclosporine blood level and the severity of dermatological changes. A discontinuation of cyclosporine resulted in complete healing in 4 months. This case highlights the importance of regular monitoring and follow-ups in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. Even rare side effects should always be considered in these cases.

INTRODUCTION: La cyclosporine est un puissant agent immunosuppresseur utilisé en médecine vétérinaire pour traiter une variété de conditions inflammatoires ou à médiation immunitaire. De nombreux effets indésirables sont associés à ce médicament, mais la plupart d'entre eux se produisent rarement. Un bouledogue français intact, âgé de 5 ans, a été présenté avec de multiples plaques hyperkératosiques et papillomateuses/verruqueuses sévères, réparties de manière multifocale. Le chien suivait un traitement immunosuppresseur à long terme à base de cyclosporine pour une méningo-encéphalite d'origine inconnue (MUO). Il avait des antécédents de dermatite atopique et de calcinosis cutis. Une infection à papillomavirus a été exclue par réaction en chaîne par polymérase (PCR) et l'analyse histopathologique a révélé une dermatite chronique lymphoplasmocytaire non spécifique, une périfolliculite et une périannexite ainsi qu'une folliculite focale avec hyperplasie épidermique papillomateuse et hyperkératose orthokératosique. Le diagnostic d'¼hyperplasie épidermique induite par la cyclosporine avec pyodermie secondaire¼ a été posé. La cyclosporine a été stoppée et on a commencé à administrer du mycophénolate mofétil comme alternative pour contrôler l'OMU. Un traitement antimicrobien a été prescrit pendant trois semaines. Après quatre mois, les lésions cutanées étaient complètement guéries. À ce jour, après deux ans, le chien est toujours en rémission. L'apparition de lésions hyperplasiques associées au traitement par la cyclosporine a déjà été décrite dans des rapports précédents. La plupart d'entre elles ressemblent à celles de la dermatite lichénoïde psoriasiforme, bien que le virus du papillome puisse être détecté dans certains cas. Le chien du cas présent présentait quelques particularités dans les résultats histopathologiques et une implication du papillomavirus a été exclue par PCR. Comme observé dans un rapport précédent, il n'y avait pas de corrélation entre le taux sanguin de cyclosporine et la sévérité des altérations dermatologiques. L'arrêt de la cyclosporine a permis une guérison complète en 4 mois. Ce cas souligne l'importance d'une surveillance et d'un suivi réguliers des patients sous traitement immunosuppresseur. Les effets secondaires, même rares, doivent toujours être pris en compte dans ces cas.

Ocular lesions of captive cephalopods.

Ocular lesions are uncommonly reported and described in invertebrate species. In this study, cases from 2 diagnostic laboratories, in which lesions were noted in 33 diagnostic specimens from various species of cephalopods, including octopuses, squid, nautiluses, and cuttlefish, were reviewed. Clinical information and gross lesions were described in a minority of cases. The most common lesion was inflammation of varying severity and was most commonly within the anterior uvea (iris and ciliary papilla), followed by the posterior chamber and lens. More than half of the cases with inflammation had concurrent hyperplastic lesions of the iris and ciliary papilla, including posterior iris epithelial hyperplasia, cystic adenomatous hyperplasia, and/or posterior epithelial cysts. The most common clinical observation was cloudy eyes, which correlated histologically to anterior uveitis in all cases where it was documented. Dermatitis and cutaneous ulceration were the most frequent comorbidities in cases where clinical information was available.

Can CT texture analysis parameters be used as imaging biomarkers for prediction of malignancy in canine splenic tumors?

Splenic hemangiosarcoma has morphological similarities to benign nodular hyperplasia. Computed tomography (CT) texture analysis can analyze the texture of images that the naive human eye cannot detect. Recently, there have been attempts to incorporate CT texture analysis with artificial intelligence in human medicine. This retrospective, analytical design study aimed to assess the feasibility of CT texture analysis in splenic masses and investigate predictive biomarkers of splenic hemangiosarcoma in dogs. Parameters for dogs with hemangiosarcoma and nodular hyperplasia were compared, and an independent parameter that could differentiate between them was selected. Discriminant analysis was performed to assess the ability to discriminate the two splenic masses and compare the relative importance of the parameters. A total of 23 dogs were sampled, including 16 splenic nodular hyperplasia and seven hemangiosarcoma. In each dog, total 38 radiomic parameters were extracted from first-, second-, and higher-order matrices. Thirteen parameters had significant differences between hemangiosarcoma and nodular hyperplasia. Skewness in the first-order matrix and GLRLM_LGRE and GLZLM_ZLNU in the second, higher-order matrix were determined as independent parameters. A discriminant equation consisting of skewness, GLZLM_LGZE, and GLZLM_ZLNU was derived, and the cross-validation verification result showed an accuracy of 95.7%. Skewness was the most influential parameter for the discrimination of the two masses. The study results supported using CT texture analysis to help differentiate hemangiosarcoma from nodular hyperplasia in dogs. This new diagnostic approach can be used for developing future machine learning-based texture analysis tools.