Abstracts
Cholangiocarcinomas are neoplasms that originate from the bile duct epithelium. The present case described a cholangiocarcinoma in an adult female American Rhea (Rhea Americana araneipes) by means of gross, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Irregular, firm, multifocal, yellow-white masses, measuring from 0.4 to 6cm in diameter were observed in both liver lobes. At the cut surface, multiple firm nodules filled with connective tissue were present. Microscopically, the neoplasia was composed of small, irregular, gland-like structures of neoplastic cells surrounded by connective tissue. The cells resembled epithelial cells of the hepatic biliary ducts. Neoplastic cells were positive for cytokeratin and negative for vimentin. This is the first report of a malignant fatal neoplasia in an American Rhea.
cholangiocarcinoma; Rhea; immunohistochemistry; wildlife
Colangiocarcinomas são neoplasias originárias do epitélio do ducto biliar. O presente caso descreve os achados macroscópicos, microscópicos e imuno-histoquímicos de um colangiocarcinoma em uma ema fêmea (Rhea americana araneipes). No fígado, massas irregulares, firmes, multifocais, de coloração amarelo-esbranquiçada, medindo de 0,4 a 6cm de diâmetro foram observadas em ambos os lobos. Ao corte, múltiplos nódulos firmes preenchidos por tecido conjuntivo foram observados. Microscopicamente, a neoplasia era composta de células pequenas, irregulares, semelhantes às células do epitélio biliar, que formavam estruturas glandulares. A imuno-histoquímica foi positiva para citoqueratina e negativa para vimentina. Este trabalho constitui o primeiro relato de uma neoplasia maligna fatal em uma ema.
colangiocarcinoma; ema; imuno-histoquímica; aves selvagens
Cholangiocarcinomas are neoplasms that originate from the bile duct epithelium (AL-BAHRANI et al, 2013AL-BAHRANI, R. et al.v Cholangiocarcinoma: risk factors, environmental
influences and oncogenesis. Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science, v.43,
p.195-210, 2013. Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23694797>.
Accessed: May 04, 2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23694...
). The neoplasm has an
adenocarcinomatous pattern, producing ductules and acini, and sometimes papillary
formations. Cells are cuboidal or columnar, with a small amount of slightly granular
material (STALKER & HAYES, 2007STALKER, M.J.; HAYES, M.A. Liver and biliary system. In: MAXIE, M.G.
Pathology of domestic animals, Jubb, Kennedy and Palmer's. 5.ed. New York: Elsevier,
2007. p.385.).
Cholangiocarcinomas have been reported in dogs, cats, sheep, cattle, horses, and goats
(CULLEN & POPP, 2002CULLEN, J.M.; POPP, J.A. Tumors of the liver and gall bladder. In:
MEUTEN, D.J. Tumors in domestic animals. 4.ed. Ames: Iowa State, 2002.
p.483-508.). It has also been
reported in many avian species, including a pheasant (OZMEN, 2012OZMEN, O. Cholangiocarcinoma in a ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus
colchicus): a case report. Veterinarni Medicina, v.57, p.320-323,
2012.), a penguin (RENNER et al.,
2001RENNER, M.S. et al. Cholangiocarcinoma with metastasis in a captive
Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, v.32,
p.384-6, 2001. Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12785690>.
Accessed: May 04, 2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12785...
), a crane (ALLEN et al., 1985ALLEN, J.L. et al. Metastatic cholangiocarcinoma in a Florida sandhill
crane. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, v.187, p.1215, 1985.
Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3001002>. Accessed: May 04,
2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30010...
), an
orange-winged Amazon parrot (COLEMAN, 1991COLEMAN, C.W. Bile duct carcinoma and cloacal prolapse in an
orange-winged Amazon parrot (Amazona amazonica amazonica). Journal of Avian Medicine
and Surgery, v.5, p.87-89, 1991.), a
blue-and-gold macaw (DEGERNES, 1998DEGERNES, L.A. et al. Multicystic biliary adenocarcinoma in a
blue-and-gold macaw (Ara ararauna). Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery v.12,
p.100-107, 1998.) and a
peach-fronted conure (GIBBONS et al., 2002GIBBONS, P.M. et al. I nternal papillomatosis with intrahepatic
cholangiocarcinoma and gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma in a peach-fronted conure
(Aratinga aurea). Avian Diseases, v.46, p.1062-1069, 2002. Available from:
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12495076>. Accessed: May 04,
2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12495...
).
Although cholangiocarcinoma is relatively uncommon in domestic animals, it is the most
frequent hepatic neoplasm reported in captive and free-ranging birds (SCHMIDT et al., 2003SCHMIDT, R.E et al. Pathology of pet and aviary birds. Ames: Blackwell
Publishing, 2003. p.88-89.). Greater Rheas (Rhea americana
araneipes) are animals that are not threatened of extinction and are distributed
through the South American continent (BIRDLIFE
INTERNATIONAL, 2012BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL 2012. Rhea americana. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. Accessed: Apr. 04, 2014. Online.
Available from:
<http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22678073/0>.
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22678...
). There are no reports of cholangiocarcinomas in terrestrial
birds living in the tropics of South America. Moreover, there are no reports of any kind of
neoplasia in Greater Rheas, making it difficult for the zoo Veterinarian to make the
correct diagnosis and establish a prognosis of diseases in this species. The present case
described a cholangiocarcinoma in an American Rhea by means of gross, histopathology and
immunohistochemistry.
A female American Rhea was found dead at the Zoo of the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The animal was referred to the Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology at the Veterinary Hospital of UFMT for a complete necropsy. Fresh samples of the neoplasia, brain, spinal cord, proventriculus, gizzard, duodenum, liver, lungs, kidneys and heart were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde solution. Subsequently, the tissues were routinely processed, embedded in paraffin and 4µm tissue sections were cut for histopathologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluations. The sections for histopathology were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Grossly, irregular, firm, multifocal, yellow-white masses, measuring from 0.4 to 6cm in diameter were observed in both liver lobes. The masses were compressing the adjacent liver parenchyma (Figure 1A and B). At the cut surface, multiple firm nodules filled with connective tissue were present. No significant macroscopic findings were observed in other organs. Microscopically, the mass was composed of small, irregular, gland-like structures of neoplastic cells surrounded by connective tissue. The cells resembled epithelial cells of the hepatic biliary ducts, were round to polygonal, with and hypertrophic vacuolyzed nucleus and a frequently visible and lateralized nucleolus (Figure 1C). Cytoplasm was normally visible. Cellular polymorphism and neovascularization were moderately observed; 1-2 mitoses per 400x field were observed; necrosis of neoplastic cells and vascular invasion were not present. Multifocal mild infiltration of lymphocytes and heterophils in the neoplasm was also observed. In the areas adjacent to the liver parenchyma, hepatocytes were degenerated and a marked proliferation of fibroblasts was also observed.
Liver, cholangiocarcinoma, American Rhea (Rhea americana araneipes). (A) . Irregular, firm, multifocal, yellow-white masses, measuring from 0.4 to 6cm in diameter in both lobes (arrows). (B) Cut surface of the mass from Figure 1. (A) Note the multiple firm yellow-white nodules compressing the adjacent liver parenchyma. (C) Cholangiocarcinoma, composed mainly of small, irregular, gland-like structures of neoplastic epithelial cells surrounded by thin connective tissue (asterisks). Hematoxylin and eosin. (D) Cholangiocarcinoma, immunopositivity for cytokeratin. Immunohistochemistry with diaminobenzidine as chromogen; counterstained with hematoxylin
Briefly, indirect immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal primary antibodies
(RAMOS-VARA et al., 2008RAMOS-VARA, J.A. et. al. Suggested guidelines for immunohistochemical
techniques in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic
Investigation, v.20, n.4, p.393-413, 2008. Available from:
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18599844>. Accessed: May 04,
2014.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18599...
) against cytokeratin
(DAKO, Carpinteria, USA, Code M3515, 1:200) and vimentin (DAKO, Code M7020, 1:100). For
antigen retrieval, all sections were incubated with citrate buffer (pH 6.0) at 125°C for
10min. The secondary kit detection system LSAB2-HRP kit (Code K0679, DAKO, USA), biotin
labelled goat anti-rabbit +goat anti-mouse was applied. Subsequently, permanent red was
incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature (only for vimentin) and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine
chromogen (DAB, DAKO, USA, cytokerin) was incubated for 1min at room temperature. Finally,
the sections were counterstained using Mayer's hematoxylin. Positive controls included a
mammary carcinoma from a dog and a normal liver from a chicken. Sections of the neoplasia
herein described and the positive controls without the incubation of the primary antibody
were used as negative controls. Neoplastic cells were positive for pancytocheratin (Figure 1D). Vimentin was negative in the neoplastic
cells.
According to CULLEN & POPP (2002)CULLEN, J.M.; POPP, J.A. Tumors of the liver and gall bladder. In:
MEUTEN, D.J. Tumors in domestic animals. 4.ed. Ames: Iowa State, 2002.
p.483-508. and based
on the results, the present case was diagnosed as a cholangiocarcinoma. In domestic
animals, cholangiocarcinomas have a highly invasive pattern of growth and metastasize
frequently, mostly within the liver; however, it is not possible to distinguish multiple
primary sites of origin from metastasis (CULLEN &
POPP, 2002CULLEN, J.M.; POPP, J.A. Tumors of the liver and gall bladder. In:
MEUTEN, D.J. Tumors in domestic animals. 4.ed. Ames: Iowa State, 2002.
p.483-508.). Cholangiocarcinomas are most frequently multinodular; hematogenous
metastases are unusual, but metastases to regional lymph nodes are common and mitosis are
frequently observed (CULLEN & POPP, 2002CULLEN, J.M.; POPP, J.A. Tumors of the liver and gall bladder. In:
MEUTEN, D.J. Tumors in domestic animals. 4.ed. Ames: Iowa State, 2002.
p.483-508.).
In the present case, although few mitoses were observed, no metastasis was present. These
results might be related to an early stage of development of the neoplasm or possibly due
to an exposure to low doses of carcinogen agent/stimuli. Although there is no specific
predisposing factor for cholangiocarcinomas in animals (ANDRADE et al., 2012ANDRADE, R.L. et al. Platynosomum fastosum-induced cholangiocarcinomas
in cats. Veterinary Parasitology, v.23, p.277-280, 2012. Available from:
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22963714>. Accessed: May 04,
2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22963...
, CULLEN & POPP,
2002CULLEN, J.M.; POPP, J.A. Tumors of the liver and gall bladder. In:
MEUTEN, D.J. Tumors in domestic animals. 4.ed. Ames: Iowa State, 2002.
p.483-508.), chronic exposion to aflatoxins (produced by Aspergillus fungi
in a humid environment) from seeds (BATATINHA et al.,
2008BATATINHA, M.J.M. et al. Micotoxicoses. In: SPINOSA, H.S; GÓRNIAK, S.
L.; PALERMO-NETO, J. Toxicologia aplicada à Medicina Veterinária. São Paulo: Manole,
2008. p.482-491.) might be a cause of the cholangiocarcinoma in this bird. Moreover,
inflammation of the biliary epithelium as a result of parasitic infections, mostly by
flukes - such as Clonorchis sinensis and Platynosomum fastosum -
has been associated with biliary carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma in dogs and cats,
respectively (ANDRADE et al., 2012ANDRADE, R.L. et al. Platynosomum fastosum-induced cholangiocarcinomas
in cats. Veterinary Parasitology, v.23, p.277-280, 2012. Available from:
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22963714>. Accessed: May 04,
2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22963...
, CULLEN & POPP, 2002CULLEN, J.M.; POPP, J.A. Tumors of the liver and gall bladder. In:
MEUTEN, D.J. Tumors in domestic animals. 4.ed. Ames: Iowa State, 2002.
p.483-508.). Nevertheless, the
mechanism by which the parasite promotes the tumor development is unknown (CULLEN &
POPP, 2002). Furthermore, in humans of East Asia, liver flukes (Opisthorchis
viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis) are considered carcinogenic to
humans by the International Agency for Cancer Research, and these parasites are responsible
for the high rates of cholangiocarcinomas in these regions (RALPHS & KHAN, 2013RALPHS, S.; KHAN, S.A. The role of the hepatitis viruses in
cholangiocarcinoma. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, v.20, p.297-305, 2013. Available
from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23565610>. Accessed: May 04,
2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23565...
). Additionally, exposure to chemical compounds, such
as naphthenic acids, primary sclerosing cholangitis, anabolic steroids, ulcerative colitis,
intrahepatic lithiasis, Caroli disease and multiple liver cysts are other recognized
predisposing factors for the development of cholangiocarcinomas in humans (AL-BAHRANI et al., 2013AL-BAHRANI, R. et al.v Cholangiocarcinoma: risk factors, environmental
influences and oncogenesis. Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science, v.43,
p.195-210, 2013. Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23694797>.
Accessed: May 04, 2013.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23694...
). Histologically,
cholangiocarcinomas must be distinguished from hepatocellular carcinomas, hepatic
carcinoids and cholangiomas (CULLEN & POPP,
2002CULLEN, J.M.; POPP, J.A. Tumors of the liver and gall bladder. In:
MEUTEN, D.J. Tumors in domestic animals. 4.ed. Ames: Iowa State, 2002.
p.483-508.). Distinction from hepatocellular carcinoma of adenoid pattern may be
assisted by demonstration of mucin, abundant mitotic figures, and presence of a prominent
connective tissue stroma (STALKER & HAYES,
2007STALKER, M.J.; HAYES, M.A. Liver and biliary system. In: MAXIE, M.G.
Pathology of domestic animals, Jubb, Kennedy and Palmer's. 5.ed. New York: Elsevier,
2007. p.385.). In conclusion, this is the first report of a malignant fatal neoplasia in
an American Rhea.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To CNPq and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP). Grant number 2013/08702-4 for finantial suport.
- AL-BAHRANI, R. et al.v Cholangiocarcinoma: risk factors, environmental influences and oncogenesis. Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Science, v.43, p.195-210, 2013. Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23694797>. Accessed: May 04, 2013.
» http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23694797 - ALLEN, J.L. et al. Metastatic cholangiocarcinoma in a Florida sandhill crane. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, v.187, p.1215, 1985. Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3001002>. Accessed: May 04, 2013.
» http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3001002 - ANDRADE, R.L. et al. Platynosomum fastosum-induced cholangiocarcinomas in cats. Veterinary Parasitology, v.23, p.277-280, 2012. Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22963714>. Accessed: May 04, 2013.
» http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22963714 - BATATINHA, M.J.M. et al. Micotoxicoses. In: SPINOSA, H.S; GÓRNIAK, S. L.; PALERMO-NETO, J. Toxicologia aplicada à Medicina Veterinária. São Paulo: Manole, 2008. p.482-491.
- BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL 2012. Rhea americana. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. Accessed: Apr. 04, 2014. Online. Available from: <http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22678073/0>.
» http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22678073/0 - COLEMAN, C.W. Bile duct carcinoma and cloacal prolapse in an orange-winged Amazon parrot (Amazona amazonica amazonica). Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, v.5, p.87-89, 1991.
- CULLEN, J.M.; POPP, J.A. Tumors of the liver and gall bladder. In: MEUTEN, D.J. Tumors in domestic animals. 4.ed. Ames: Iowa State, 2002. p.483-508.
- DEGERNES, L.A. et al. Multicystic biliary adenocarcinoma in a blue-and-gold macaw (Ara ararauna). Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery v.12, p.100-107, 1998.
- GIBBONS, P.M. et al. I nternal papillomatosis with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma in a peach-fronted conure (Aratinga aurea). Avian Diseases, v.46, p.1062-1069, 2002. Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12495076>. Accessed: May 04, 2013.
» http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12495076 - OZMEN, O. Cholangiocarcinoma in a ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus): a case report. Veterinarni Medicina, v.57, p.320-323, 2012.
- RALPHS, S.; KHAN, S.A. The role of the hepatitis viruses in cholangiocarcinoma. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, v.20, p.297-305, 2013. Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23565610>. Accessed: May 04, 2013.
» http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23565610 - RENNER, M.S. et al. Cholangiocarcinoma with metastasis in a captive Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, v.32, p.384-6, 2001. Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12785690>. Accessed: May 04, 2013.
» http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12785690 - SCHMIDT, R.E et al. Pathology of pet and aviary birds. Ames: Blackwell Publishing, 2003. p.88-89.
- RAMOS-VARA, J.A. et. al. Suggested guidelines for immunohistochemical techniques in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, v.20, n.4, p.393-413, 2008. Available from: <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18599844>. Accessed: May 04, 2014.
» http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18599844 - STALKER, M.J.; HAYES, M.A. Liver and biliary system. In: MAXIE, M.G. Pathology of domestic animals, Jubb, Kennedy and Palmer's. 5.ed. New York: Elsevier, 2007. p.385.
Publication Dates
-
Date of issue
Feb 2015