Concurrent leishmaniasis and neoplasia, although rare, have been already reported in humans and dogs. This study describes the presence of this protozoon within the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells in three different tumors. Specifically, Leishmania amastigotes were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a T cell lymphoma, a fibrosarcoma and a corticosurrenalic adenoma. Furthermore transmission electron microscopy examination confirmed the intracytoplasmic localization of amastigotes within the neoplastic cells and in occasional mitotic cells. Only two papers have been published in dog describing similar features, but the new interesting finding of this study is the association – never reported before – between this protozoon and neoplasms with different histogenesis. Despite currently it is not possible to explain the relationship between the parasitic infection and the neoplastic disease, we rule out that the co-existence of the Leishmania and neoplasia is merely coincidental. Finally, for the first time the anti-KMP11 antibody is used to detect Leishmania amastigotes in canine tissue by IHC: it could become a powerful diagnostic tool to confirm the presence of the parasite, especially when barely detectable.
THREE CASES OF CANINE TUMORS WITH LEISHMANIA-LADEN NEOPLASTIC CELLS
FERRO, SILVIA;BENALI, SILVIA LUCIA;CAVICCHIOLI, LAURA;
2012
Abstract
Concurrent leishmaniasis and neoplasia, although rare, have been already reported in humans and dogs. This study describes the presence of this protozoon within the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells in three different tumors. Specifically, Leishmania amastigotes were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a T cell lymphoma, a fibrosarcoma and a corticosurrenalic adenoma. Furthermore transmission electron microscopy examination confirmed the intracytoplasmic localization of amastigotes within the neoplastic cells and in occasional mitotic cells. Only two papers have been published in dog describing similar features, but the new interesting finding of this study is the association – never reported before – between this protozoon and neoplasms with different histogenesis. Despite currently it is not possible to explain the relationship between the parasitic infection and the neoplastic disease, we rule out that the co-existence of the Leishmania and neoplasia is merely coincidental. Finally, for the first time the anti-KMP11 antibody is used to detect Leishmania amastigotes in canine tissue by IHC: it could become a powerful diagnostic tool to confirm the presence of the parasite, especially when barely detectable.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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