Concomitant mammary tuberculosis and malignant mixed tumor in a dog

Abstract

Tuberculosis and tumors are two major health problems in both humans and animals; and there are still many question marks in the association between these two important diseases. In this case, progressive malignant mixed tumor and productive tuberculosis were observed simultaneously in 8 years old, terrier, and female dog. After mastectomy of the left mammary chain; removed tissue was brought for pathological examination. For the histopathology examination, specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Tissues were processed routinely and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Ziehl-Neelsen for acid-fast bacilli detection. Microscopically, atypical neoplastic cells and caseation necrosis located in the center of tubercle were seen. After these findings, Mycobacterium spp. was investigated in the same sample and was confirmed by PCR amplification. Concomitant tuberculosis and neoplasm, previously reported in only a goat, is a rare occurrence in domestic animals.

Keywords

• dog
• histopathology
• malignant mixed tumor
• mycobacterium spp.