Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Monocytic leukemia in a horse.
- Journal:
- Veterinary pathology
- Year:
- 1984
- Authors:
- Burkhardt, E et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A six-year-old Hassian gray gelding was having trouble performing, along with a slight cough, belly pain (colic), and swelling in his belly, sheath, and legs. During the examination, the vet noticed that his skin was less elastic, his gums were pale, he was breathing with difficulty, and he had swollen lymph nodes and an enlarged spleen. Blood tests showed he was anemic and had a high number of abnormal white blood cells called monocytoid leukemic cells. After he passed away, a thorough examination revealed that these abnormal cells had spread throughout his body, including in his lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs. Based on these findings, the horse was diagnosed with monocytic leukemia, which is a type of cancer affecting certain white blood cells.
Abstract
On clinical examination, a six-year-old Hassian gray gelding with a history of impaired performance, slight cough, colic, and edema of the ventral abdomen, prepuce and the legs had reduced skin turgor, pale mucous membranes, forced costoabdominal breathing, reduced venous return, enlarged lymph nodes, and splenomegaly. Hematologic findings revealed anemia, leukocytosis and a high percentage of monocytoid leukemic cells. Generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, ascites, hydrothorax, and a diffusely thickened gut wall were found at necropsy. Massive infiltration with monocytoid leukemic cells was detected in lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, liver, gut wall, kidneys, and choroid plexus. Incubation of living cells obtained from a leukocyte concentrate with latex particles revealed phagocytosis in the leukemic cells on light and electron microscopy. The leukemic cells also had a marked alpha-naphthyl-acetate and naphthol-AS-acetate esterase activity, but were only weakly positive to naphthol-AS-D-chloroacetate esterase. A very weak alkaline phosphatase activity only was demonstrated in a few leukemic cells. On scanning electron microscopy, the leukemic cells had prominent ruffles and ridge-like profiles. These features of the leukemic cells excluded lymphocytic and granulocytic leukemia, and monocytic leukemia was diagnosed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6589870/