Angioleiomyoma in a conger (Conger conger).

A wild adult male conger Conger conger, captured by a SCUBA diver in the waters of coastal Italy, was sent for laboratory analysis due to the presence of multiple productive ulcerous skin lesions localized in the dorso-lateral body area, caudally to the gill operculum under the dorsal fin. The main mass was sessile, ulcerated and hemorrhaging in appearance and was surrounded by several smaller masses, which originated peripherally from the same mass or were isolated, always with a tendency to ulceration. Histology confirmed that the newly formed tissue originated from derma invading the closer tissues. The tumour consisted of spindle cells, each with an ovoidal nucleus and rarely with evident nucleoli, which were arranged in parallel or storiform patterns and were often surrounding blood-filled spaces discontinuously lined by endothelial cells. Tumour tissue was richly vascularized and no mitoses were seen. The overlying epidermis was ulcerated. Masson's trichrome technique indicated the presence of a small amount of perivascular connective tissue. No excessive glycogen storage, bacteria, virus or fungi were detected by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-reaction. Immunohistochemistry showed dot-like or diffuse cytoplasmic positivity against smooth muscle actin and the monoclonal antibody D2-40. CD34 exhibited relevant immunoreactivity at plasma membranes. Growth fraction evaluated using MIB-1 was <1%. Immunoreactions for wide spectrum CK, CK5/6, CK8, CK18, EMA, desmin, myoglobin, S-100, CD20, CD68, GFAP, and NSE were negative. Histopathological and immunohistochemical results supported a diagnosis of angioleiomyoma, a benign tumour of the muscular cellular component of the blood vessels. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such neoplasms in fishes in which monoclonal antibodies work on fish tissues, facilitating a useful immunohistochemical approach for differential diagnosis.

Mast cells in canine mammary gland tumour: number, distribution and EPOR positivity.

Erythropoietin (EPO)-mediated mitogenic and anti-apoptotic effects involve all the cells expressing functional receptors for EPO (EPOR), as demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies. EPO shows pleiotropic effects and acts as an endogenous mediator of adaptive tissue response to metabolic stress protecting tissues from different injuries. Recently, the EPO/EPOR complex has been identified in several neoplastic cell lines and solid tumours. In this study, the authors investigated the mast cells (MCs) number, distribution and their immunoreactivity for EPOR in normal, dysplastic and neoplastic canine mammary gland. The results showed that MCs were more numerous in displastic glands compared with normal and neoplastic glands. As far as the EPOR immunoreactivity is concerned, we did not observe MCs reaction on cancer, in contrast with previously published data where epithelium of neoplastic gland showed an increase in EPOR expression along with the neoplastic progression. Overall, our results might be suggestive for MCs role in oncogenesis and offer new insight regarding to the expression of EPOR in mammary gland cancer in dog.

Acquired melanosis caused by acorn ingestion in the Nero Siciliano pig.

In this study, an acquired pigmentation in Nero Siciliano pigs is reported and evaluated by a multidisciplinary approach to support the hypothesis it is caused by an ingested material. A total of 18 pigs were studied. Fourteen conventionally slaughtered animals showed black discoloration of lymph nodes. The lymph nodes were normal in size and shape but showed diffuse black discoloration of the cortex and medulla. Melanosis of fat was observed in 2 animals and was limited to the back. Histochemical tests performed on tissues enabled identification and differentiation of the pigment. Immunohistochemical staining for macrophage markers showed macrophages containing a variable amount of melanin-like granules. Stains for human melanoma, as well as S-100 protein, did not show any reaction. Histochemical methods for tyrosinase showed colorimetric patterns that confirmed the presence of the enzyme in acorns. The activity was mostly latent. A high tannin content was demonstrated, reaching about 76% of the total phenolic compounds. Our data, and the well-known steps on melanin formation, permit us to hypothesize that swine tyrosinase could act on phenolic substances found in acorns. Tyrosinase activation could take place in genetically predisposed swine after acorns are eaten, and this event could increase the biosynthesis and the anomalous storage of melanin.

Seroprevalence study on the diffusion of the West Nile virus among blood donors, healthcare workers, jockeys, grooms and fowlers, veterinary surgeons and hunters in Messina (Italy).

INTRODUCTION: West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus widely distributed in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Southern Europe and in 1999 was first identified in the United States as a cause of disease in New York City. It mainly circulates among birds, but can infect many species of mammals. Epidemics can occur in rural as well as urban areas. METHODS: 1,280 sera were collected during 2006 from 80 stable workers, as jockey and grooms, 100 fowlers, 500 blood donors, 600 healthcare workers, 100 veterinary surgeons and 100 hunters in the Messina province to evaluate the prevalence of the WNV infection, by ELISA test, in relation to risk exposure or not. RESULTS: None of the 1280 subjects examined has shown positive for antibodies anti WN virus. CONCLUSION: Among the strategies of control and surveillance, finally, in our opinion, are and will be indispensable the programs of continuous antibody survey in all the risk categories and in the general population in order to succeed to preview which effects could have the presence of infections from WNV, also imported from other zones where the virus is constantly present, in future and which it could be the impact of geographic factors on the epidemic spread of the disease.

A case of conjoined cephalopagus twinning in an ostrich (Struthio camelus).

Conjoined twinnings have been reported in most domestic animal species and in some avian species. Cases of conjoined twins have not been reported in the ostrich so far. A hybrid Blue neck x African black male ostrich conjoined twinning was born at the end of artificial egg incubation and died spontaneously 24 h after the hatching. It was frozen and sent to the Unit of Veterinary Pathology of the University of Messina for gross examination. The most important gross findings involved the external body and most of the internal organs. On the basis of the duplication, the conjoined twins were classified as a cephalopagus. Radiological features included: development of one head containing a single brain, two spinal cords, deviated vertebral columnae with fusion of the two first cervical vertebrae. In one twin, the synsacrum was absent as well as portions of the vertebral column. Grossly, both twins showed two upper and lower limbs each. The gastro-enteric apparatuses of the twins were not completely developed and fused at different levels. One liver and one heart localized in the centre of the conjoined twins were observed. The authors conclude that the possible causes of the malformation could be related to a genetic factor.

Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in reared and wild Dicentrarchus labrax from the Mediterranean Sea (Sicily, Italy).

The aim of this research was to compare the levels of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in samples of Dicentrarchus labrax living in the Straits of Messina with samples cultivated in cages in the Mediterranean Sea. Muscles and liver tissues sampled over the months, within the same year, were analyzed. The quantitative determination of the organochlorine compounds was performed by GC-ECD and confirmed with GC-MS. The results showed that the concentrations of DDTs in muscles and livers as such of reared sea bass were in the range 0.2-1.3 microg/kg and 9.6 -48.4 microg/kg, respectively. In wild fish the concentrations of DDTs were very much lower: 0.1 microg/kg in muscles, 5.1-9.0 microg/kg in livers. Total PCBs levels were higher in cultivated sea bass than in wild fish; the concentration ranges were 5.3-59.7 microg/kg and 74.4-267.4 microg/kg in muscle and liver of reared samples, respectively, and 1.1-1.5 microg/kg and 63.2-109.4 microg/kg in muscle and liver of wild samples, respectively.

Erythropoietin receptor expression in canine mammary tumor: an immunohistochemical study.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a cytokine primarily involved in the regulation of the erythropoiesis. Recently, it has been demonstrated that EPO and its receptor (EPOR) are expressed in several neoplastic cell lines and solid tumors. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that EPO could promote human breast carcinoma growth by means of the binding with its receptor, although a clear function for EPO in this setting has not been yet established. While the human medical literature has been accumulating strong evidence on EPO's role in oncogenesis, to date, there are no veterinary reports focusing on such an issue. The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of EPOR in canine mammary gland dysplastic and neoplastic lesions. Our results show a weak to moderate EPOR expression in dysplastic glands, being immunoreactivity enhanced as the lesion shows an increasing malignant pattern. On the basis of these findings, this study describes, for the first time, the evidence for EPOR expression in canine mammary gland tumor and suggests a feasible EPO's role for canine mammary tumor progression.

Tissue damage and haematophagia due to praniza larvae (Isopoda: Gnathiidae) in some aquarium seawater teleosts.

Over a 5 yr period, severe infestations due to Gnathia vorax larvae affecting different teleosts have been registered at the Civic Aquarium of Messina, Italy. Here, the damage caused by these parasites is evaluated from a macroscopical and histopathological point of view. We also attempt to evaluate the amount of blood sucked up by a single parasite and make some observations about the haematophagia. The histopathological changes confirm mucosal electrolytic failure as the main problem, even though the mean value of blood sucked up by a single parasite, about 1.9 mg, suggests that haematophagia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of such infestation. In conclusion, it was found that the G. vorax larvae caused 2-fold damage that was responsible for the death of the fish. Little by little, the parasitic problem was successfully removed by washing the tank, using fresh water rather than costly and dangerous chemotherapeutans.

Structural and ultrastructural aspects of the pericardial sac in some sea water teleosts.

Generally, in fishes the parietal pericardium is considered to be a semi-rigid structure. It is widely known that the entire parietal pericardium in fish, in contrast to that of higher vertebrates, is fixed to the body wall which consists mainly of skeletal muscle. This structural arrangement could explain the low end-systolic intrapericardial pressure in fishes. The morphology of the parietal pericardium of 11 sea-water teleosts, either free or breeding, coming from various areas of the southern Italy was studied. Macroscopical evaluation, but even more, histological and ultrastructural studies, showed some differences among the hearts of the examined subjects, more pronounced in the European hake (Merluccius merluccius, L.), in which a true pericardial sac was demonstrated, well differentiated and distinguishable from the other structures, in contrast to the observations in other subjects. The pericardial connective tissue showed no continuity with that of the surrounding structures, mainly skeletal muscle. This difference could be retraced to the well-known pattern of life and, therefore, to other individual as well as evolutionary factors in comparison with other teleosteans examined.

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI in a Siamese/short-haired European cat.

A 3-year-old Siamese/short-haired European cat was referred for clinical disease characterized by dwarfism, facial dysmorphia, paralysis, small and curled ears, corneal clouding and large areas of alopecia. X-ray examination showed multiple bone dysplasia. On the basis of clinical features a form of mucopolysaccharidosis was suspected. The cat, killed at the owner's request, presented several severe skeletal deformities such as long caudal limbs, enlarged thorax with sunken breastbone, vertebral ankylosis in many spinal segments and visceral involvement. Histologically, the cat showed diffuse vacuolization and enlargement of cells in cartilage, bone and visceral organs. Ultrastructurally, membrane-bound vacuoles were filled with fibrillar and fluffy-material or concentrically whorled lamellae. Arylsulphatase B activity was 3.24 nm/mg/h in the affected cat and 30.6 in a normal age-matched control (NC). The L-iduronidase activity was slightly increased. Quantitation of total glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) revealed a 4.5-fold increase in the affected cat as compared with NC, while electrophoretic run of specific GAGs [chondroitin sulphate (CA); hyaluronan (HA); heparan sulphate (HS); dermatan sulphate (DS); keratan sulphate (KS)] performed on a cellulose acetate sheet, showed a striking increase in the DS band. On densitometric analysis of the electrophoretic run stained with Alcian Blue 8GX, the absorption of DS was eight-fold increased as compared with NC. The clinical and morphological features, and the biochemical findings, were consistent with the diagnosis of feline mucopolysaccharidosis VI.

The ultrastructure of pearl organs in Rutilus rubilio as revealed by scanning electron microscopy.

Pearl organs are epidermal structures that in the mating season appear on different body regions of fishes belonging to Catastomidae and Ciprynidae families. In veterinary medicine, pearl organs were studied for their possible role as index of fish good quality for human feeding. Recently some authors put in evidence the possible relationship with other secondary sexual characters to establish the stage of sexual maturation in fishes. Little is known about their morphology and morphogenesis. For these reasons, pearl organs of 10 specimens of Rutilus rubilio, collected in Caserta (Italy), were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By means of SEM, the presence of pearl organs was demonstrated on dorsal and lateral fins too and their fine structure was studied. This study permitted to show pearl organs at different evolutive stages clarifying their morphogenesis and suggesting some inspective and functional considerations.

Bovine babesiosis in Sicily: preliminary study on pathology.

In this study, the authors report the preliminary pathological features of an outbreak of spontaneous babesiosis detected in a group of thirty-five, five to six months-old Simmenthal calves imported in Sicily in November 1998. Five of them showed fever, anaemia, haemoglobinuria, inappetence, depression, thirst, swollen lymph-nodes and poor body conditions a few days after being introduced in the farm. Several ticks were present particularly at the basis of the horns and near the ears of the sick animals. Blood smears, stained with May-Grunwald-Giemsa, showed several pyriform merozoites in the red blood cells referred to Babesia bigemina parasites; all ticks collected were identified as Dermacentor marginatus. Gross post-mortem examination and histopathological observations revealed severe involvement of kidneys, liver, lungs, spleen and lymph-nodes. The pathogenesis of the referred features in a spontaneous fatal case observed is discussed.