Pathological and immunohistochemical studies on hemangiosarcoma in tigers Panthera tigris and lions Panthera Leo

Main Article Content

N. Jayasree
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0092-1654
Ch. Srilatha
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0537-1559
N. Sailaja
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1231-419X
R. Venu
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9487-6702
W.L.N.V. Varaprasad
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0129-5157

Abstract

Five cases of hemangiosarcoma were documented in three tigers and two lions during post-mortem examinations.  Grossly, reddish-black coloured elevated masses were noticed with metastasis to the spleen.  In one tiger, an enlarged liver with severe oozing of blood on a cut section was noticed without any elevated masses.  In a white tiger, the tumour mass was located near the abdominal region.  Histopathological features revealed the presence of immature plump endothelial cells forming blood filled irregular vascular spaces. Immunohistochemically, strong immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of neoplastic endothelial cells with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was noticed.  No positive reaction was noticed with the proliferative markers, i.e., Ki67 and p53, indicating VEGF is the appropriate marker to diagnose hemangiosarcoma.

 

Article Details

Section
Short Communications
Author Biographies

N. Jayasree, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati

Department of Veterinary Pathology

Ch. Srilatha, Srii Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati

Department of Veterinaty Pathology

N. Sailaja, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati

Department of Veterinary Pathology

R. Venu, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati

Department of Veterinary Parasitology

W.L.N.V. Varaprasad, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati

Department of Veterinary Pathology

References

Amaravathi, P., C. Srilatha, K. Sujatha & N. Sailaja (2012). Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies of hemangiosarcoma in lions. Indian Journal of Veterinary Pathology 36(1): 120–121.

Ervin, A.M., E. Randall, R. Junge, E. Miller & L.P. Thornburg (1988). Hemangiosarcoma in a cheetah. Journal of Zoo Animal Medicine 19: 143–145.

Farkkila, A., M. Anttonen, J. Pociuviene, A. Leminen, R. Butzow, M. Heikinheimo & L. Unkila-Kallio (2011). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor VEGFR-2 are highly expressed in ovarian granulosa cell tumors. European Journal of Endocrinology 164: 115–122.

Kang, B., D. Kim, N. Shin & S. Kwon (1996). Spontaneous hemangiosarcoma in a Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris). Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 36: 143–150.

Stannard, A.A. & L. Pulley (1978). Tumors of the skin and soft tissues, pp. 33–36. In: Moulton, J.E. (ed.). Tumors in Domestic animals. 2nd edition. University of California Press, Berkeley.

Vercammen, F., Brandt, J., Van Brantegem, L., Bosseler, L. & R. Ducatelle (2015). Haemangiosarcoma in a captive Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica). Open Veterinary Journal 5(1): 52–55.