Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Systemic amyloidosis in a mare.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1990
- Authors:
- Hawthorne, T B et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A mare was suffering from severe weight loss and had several skin lumps, some abdominal growths, and enlarged lymph nodes. Tests on one of the skin lumps showed unusual cells and a buildup of amyloid, which is an abnormal protein, in her organs and lymph nodes. This type of amyloidosis, which can affect multiple organs, is quite rare in horses. The findings suggested that this mare might have a less common form of the disease, known as primary amyloidosis, rather than the more typical secondary type. Unfortunately, the outcome of her condition is not specified in the study.
Abstract
A mare with chronic cachexia had multiple skin nodules, abdominal masses (attached and free floating), and large lymph nodes. Fine-needle aspiration cytologic evaluation of a skin mass revealed multinucleated giant cells surrounding eosinophilic material. Histologic evaluation revealed extensive amyloid deposits within the masses, lymph nodes, and the interstitium of many organs. The presence of systemic (visceral) and organ-limited (cutaneous) forms of amyloid is rare in horses. Amyloid congophilia was retained after potassium permanganate oxidation. The fibrils were thus distinct from the AA (secondary) fibrils that are found in most cases of equine amyloidosis, suggesting that this mare may have had primary amyloidosis. Regardless of fibril type, the presence of multinucleated giant cells in association with eosinophilic material in cytologic preparations of skin nodules may suggest a differential diagnosis of amyloidosis in horses.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2298658/