Veterinary World (Jan 2012)
Multiple Organs Metastatic Mesothelioma in a White Tiger: A case report
Abstract
Aim: An attempt has been made to know the cause of the death of the female white tiger, who was considered as Queen of the Zoo and has given birth of 22 white tigers in her life time. Materials and Methods: Complete clinical examinations were carried out such as heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature and haematology etc. After death, the detailed and complete post mortem examination was performed and representative tissue samples were processed for histological investigation by formalin fixation and paraffin embedding technique as described by Luna. Results: Mesothelioma is a form of neoplasm having mesenchymal cell origin. In this investigation clinical signs were recorded and Clinical examination revealed no abnormality except anaemia with Neutrophilia and Lymphocytosis. At necropsy, the thoracic and abdominal cavities contained a large amount of serosanguineous and blood tinged fluid. The peritoneum showed Multiple, grayish – white nodules of varying size of 1 to 2cm diameter were scattered throughout surfaces. Neoplastic growths were also found in the parenchyma of the liver, lungs, spleen, intestine and mesenteric, tracheobronchial, mediastinal lymph nodes. Microscopic examination revealed Pleural and peritoneal surfaces were markedly thickened by multiple layers of neoplastic mesothelial cells with well supported by collagenous connective tissues. The neoplastic cells of different organs (lungs and liver) showed larger vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli and neoplastic cell emboli. Conclusion: Gross lesions and histopathological studies were suggestive for malignant mesothelioma and originated from the peritoneum with secondary metastasis to other organs and lymphnode. [Vet World 2012; 5(9.000): 568-570]
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