Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pulmonary aspergillosis in a horse with myelomonocytic leukemia.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1987
- Authors:
- Blue, J et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old Standardbred mare was diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia, a type of blood cancer, after showing signs like swelling in her hind legs and a fever that didn't improve with antibiotics. She also had low red blood cell and platelet counts, and tests showed abnormal white blood cells in her blood and bone marrow. X-rays revealed issues in her lungs, and when she was examined after being put to sleep, doctors found cancer cells in several organs, including her lungs, where they also discovered fungal infections caused by Aspergillus, a type of mold. Unfortunately, the mare's condition was severe, and she was euthanized.
Abstract
Acute myelomonocytic leukemia was diagnosed in a 2-year-old Standardbred mare that had hind limb edema and fever unresponsive to antibiotics. The mare had anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytosis, with circulating myeloblasts and monocytoid cells. A bone marrow specimen was hypercellular, with myeloblasts and monocytoid cells. Peroxidase, chloroacetate esterase, and alpha naphthyl acetate esterase activities were detected in many bone marrow cells. Interstitial pulmonary densities were seen radiographically. The mare was euthanatized and necropsied. Infiltrates of leukemic cells were found microscopically in specimens of spleen, lymph nodes, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. Granulomas containing fungal hyphae were seen microscopically in the lungs, and Aspergillus sp was isolated from the lesions.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3475266/