Malignant lymphoma of T-cell origin in a Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) and a pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens).

Abstract

Multicentric T-cell lymphomas were diagnosed in two birds from separate zoological collections: one in a 27-year-old female Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) and the second in an adult pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens). The main clinical sign in the penguin was dysphagia caused by lymphoma formation in the esophagus. Besides the esophageal lymphoma, neoplastic lymphoid cells were observed in the adrenal glands, liver, kidneys, lung, proventriculus, and gizzard. The pelican was found dead without a clinical history. Neoplastic lymphoid cells were observed in the kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, ventriculus, and small intestine. Neoplastic cells of the penguin as well as of the pelican were immunoreactive to CD3 antigen, suggesting the lymphomas were of T-cell origin. In both cases, test results were negative for Marek's disease virus, avian leukosis virus, and reticuloendotheliosis virus. In the pelican, a skin melanoma was diagnosed on the left throat pouch in addition to the multicentric T-cell lymphoma.