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In veterinary medicine, measurement of canine C-reactive protein (cCRP) is used widely to detect inflammatory diseases. We evaluated the precision of Randox and Fuji assays for cCRP, as well as accuracy, correlation, and agreement compared to a reference ELISA. Blood samples from 71 client-owned dogs (20 healthy, 51 diseased) were analyzed with the 3 assays. Inter-assay CVs were ~3.5% with both the Randox and Fuji assays. The mean biases were −1.90% for the Randox and −5.93% for the Fuji test; the targeted biases were ~8.5% for both assays. The CV, bias, and observed total error were acceptable for the 2 assays compared to ASVCP recommendations based on biological variation studies. The Spearman correlation coefficient for cCRP concentration compared with the reference ELISA was 0.83 for the Randox test and 0.92 for the Fuji test. Both assays measured cCRP precisely at intermediate and increased concentrations. Correlation with the reference ELISA was good, and both assays could be used to evaluate cCRP concentrations in veterinary practice. However, the assays did not reach analytical agreement; hence the results obtained by these assays are not interchangeable, and serial monitoring of cCRP requires the use of the same assay.

A 12‐year‐old female Shih‐tzu dog was presented with a 2‐month history of cutaneous non‐pruritic multiple ulcerated or crusted nodules of less than 1.5 cm in diameter on eyelids, lips, abdomen, groin, thighs and perianal region. Several diagnostic tests were performed, including fine needle aspiration and skin biopsy of the cutaneous nodules. Cytologic interpretation was round cell neoplasm with multilobated (clover‐leaf shaped) nuclei. Histopathology revealed round neoplastic cells with prominent anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, and numerous mitotic figures; however, the origin of the cells was not identified. Immunohistochemical evaluation indicated that these cells were positive for CD79a and MUM‐1, but negative for CD3, CD20 and Pax 5. The patient was treated with chemotherapy, and the skin condition improved. Despite good response to chemotherapy, the patient was euthanized due to poor general health., Cells with multilobated (clover‐leaf shaped) nuclei can be seen on round cell neoplasm, especially plasma cell tumors or cutaneous plasmacytosis on cytology. Immunohistochemical evaluation with CD79a, CD3, CD20, MUM‐1, Pax 5 is indicated to confirm the origin of the cells.

The early detection of tumors improves chances of decreased morbidity and prolonged survival. Serum biomarkers are convenient to use and have several advantages over other approaches, such as accuracy and straightforward protocols. Reliable biomarkers from easily accessible sources are warranted for the development of cost-effective assays for routine screening, particularly in veterinary medicine. Extracellular c-AMP-dependent protein kinase A (ECPKA) is a cytosolic leakage enzyme. The diagnostic accuracy of detecting autoantibodies against ECPKA was found to be higher than that of ECPKA activity from enzymatic assays, which use a complicated method. Here, we investigated the diagnostic significance of measuring serum ECPKA autoantibody levels using an in-house kit (AniScan cancer detection kit; Biattic, Anyang, Korea). We used sera from 550 dogs, including healthy dogs and those with malignant and benign tumors. Serum ECPKA and immunoglobulin G were determined using the AniScan cancer detection kit. ECPKA autoantibody levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in malignant tumors than in benign tumors, non-tumor diseases, and healthy controls. On the basis of sensitivity and specificity values, AniScan ECPKA is a rapid and easy-to-use assay that can be applied to screen malignant tumors from benign tumors or other diseases in dogs.

This report describes a dog infected with Hepatozoon canis, the first canine infection in the Republic of Korea. A 2-year-old intact male Maltese dog presented with anorexia and depression. Physical examinations revealed mild dehydration and hyperthermia (39.8°C), and blood analysis showed pancytopenia. Diff-Quik staining of blood smear specimens showed the presence of ellipsoidal shaped structures (gamonts of H. canis) within a small number of neutrophils. Real-time PCR analysis using whole blood confirmed infection by H. canis. The clinical condition of the dog improved after symptomatic treatment and administration of doxycycline. Although a molecular epidemiologic survey in Korea showed H. canis infection of dogs, to our knowledge this is the first report of a dog infection in Korea molecularly shown to be H. canis.

Hormonal and vascular changes affecting the canine prostate after castration were investigated to identify the effects of hormones and perfusion on the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Concentrations of serum testosterone and estrogen and intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were compared between 5 normal dogs, 6 dogs with mild BPH, and 6 dogs with marked BPH. In addition, prostatic perfusion using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and CT perfusion (CTP), as well as CT volumes of the prostates were compared. The changes in these values following castration were assessed in 6 dogs with marked BPH. CEUS revealed significantly slower prostatic arterial inflow and relatively faster venous outflow in BPH versus normal prostate. Permeability and blood volume were not significantly different between the groups via CTP. Intraprostatic DHT level was higher in BPH than in normal prostate and decreased significantly following castration, which was accompanied by a rapid decrease in prostatic volume. On CEUS, arterial inflow to the prostate significantly decreased following castration. Blood volume within the prostate decreased significantly by day 60 following castration. Permeability increased significantly during the early phase after castration; however, by day 60 post-castration, all perfusion parameters decreased significantly. Perfusion changes including venous parameters measured by CEUS and blood volume changes measured by CTP, however, did not support the backflow theory postulating that BPH is induced by vascular changes from congested testes. The major etiology for the development of BPH is attributed to be increased levels of DHT rather than vascular changes.

Objective Early and proper diagnosis of cancer is the most critical factor for the survival and treatment of veterinary cancer patients. In this study, we evaluated extracellular cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (ECPKA) level in serum as a useful cancer biomarker in dogs. Methods ECPKA levels were detected in sera from dogs with cancers (n = 48), benign tumours (n = 18), and non-tumour diseases (n = 102) as well as healthy control dogs (n = 54) utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Sera from dogs bearing various types of cancer exhibited markedly increased levels of ECPKA by up to 7.1-, 8.8-, and 10.9-fold compared with those from dogs harbouring benign tumours, dogs with non-tumour diseases, and healthy control dogs, respectively (P

This study was conducted to provide normal reference features for canine and feline anal sacs using ultrasound, low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiograph contrast as diagnostic imaging tools. A total of ten clinically normal beagle dogs and eight clinically normally cats were included. General radiography with contrast, ultrasonography and low-field MRI scans were performed. The visualization of anal sacs, which are located at distinct sites in dogs and cats, is possible with a contrast study on radiography. Most surfaces of the anal sacs tissue, occasionally appearing as a hyperechoic thin line, were surrounded by the hypoechoic external sphincter muscle on ultrasonography. The normal anal sac contents of dogs and cats had variable echogenicity. Signals of anal sac contents on low-field MRI varied in cats and dogs, and contrast medium using T1-weighted images enhanced the anal sac walls more obviously than that on ultrasonography. In conclusion, this study provides the normal features of anal sacs from dogs and cats on diagnostic imaging. Further studies including anal sac evaluation are expected to investigate disease conditions.

We determined the prevalence of feline hemotropic mycoplasma species including ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’, Mycoplasma haemofelis, and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ in naturally infected feral cats in Jeonju, Korea. Forty six feral cats were evaluated by PCR assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Nine cats (19.6%) were positive for ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’, 2 cats (4.3%) were positive for ‘Mycoplasm a haemofelis’, and 1 cat (2.2%) was infected with both ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ and Mycoplasma haemofelis. ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ was undetected. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences of Mycoplasma haemofelis were closely (> 96%) related to those from other countries. The amplification of hemoplasma DNA in these samples confirmed the presence of ‘Candidatus M. haemominutum’ and M. haemofelis in Korea.

We describe a B-cell lymphoma of a submandibular lymph node with metastasis to the lung and facial subcutaneous tissues in a water deer (Hydropotes inermis). Neoplastic cells contained pleomorphic lymphocytes that were positive for CD79a, consistent with B-cell lymphoma. PCR for bovine leukemia virus was negative.

Protein kinase A, a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-dependent enzyme, normally exists within mammalian cells; however, in cancer cells, it can leak out and be found in the serum. Extracellular cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (ECPKA) has been determined to increase in the serum of cancer-bearing dogs. However, there have been no reports in the veterinary literature on serum ECPKA autoantibody (ECPKA-Ab) expression in dogs with cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate ECPKA-Ab and C-reactive protein (CRP) as serum biomarkers for cancer in dogs. ECPKA-Ab and CRP levels were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples from dogs with malignant tumours (n = 167), benign tumours (n = 42), or non-tumour disease (n = 155) and from healthy control dogs (n = 123). ECPKA-Ab and CRP levels were significantly higher in the dogs with malignant tumours than in those with benign tumours or non-tumour diseases, as well as in the healthy controls (P < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). There was a significant positive correlation between the neoplastic index, which was developed using ECPKA-Ab and CRP levels, and the presence of cancer in dogs (P < 0.001); the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was estimated to be >0.85 (P < 0.001). In conclusion, ECPKA-Ab is a potential serum biomarker for a broad spectrum of cancers. Combined measurement of CRP and ECPKA-Ab levels in serum improves the sensitivity and accuracy of a diagnosis of cancer in dogs.

A 7-month-old castrated male French Bull dog was presented with vomiting, lethargy, anorexia and weight loss of 2 weeks duration. The patient’s history and clinical manifestations of suspected hepatopathy were subjected to ultrasonography, radiography, biochemical investigations and cytology of hepatic lesion. The cytologic impression was hepatic lymphoma, which was later confirmed by histopathology. The neoplastic cells were strongly diffusely immunoreactive for PAX5, but not immunoreactive for CD3, and B lymphocyte specific clonal proliferation was detected using by assay of antigen receptor rearrangement. Large numbers of immunoreactive mature non-neoplastic lymphocytes were admixed with the neoplastic cell population. Therefore, the immunohistochemical results were definitively consistent with a T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma (TCRBCL). This is the first description of a hepatic TCRBCL in a juvenile dog showing a poor response to aggressive chemotherapy.

We describe coinfection with Hepatozoon sp. and canine distemper virus (CDV) in a yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula koreana). We found Hepatozoon cysts in muscular tissue and viral inclusion bodies in the brain. Hepatozoon sp., and CDV was confirmed in blood and brain, respectively, by PCR.

U.S. Choi and D.Y. Kim Immunocytochemical detection of Ki-67 in Diff-Quik-stained cytological smears of canine mammary gland tumours Objective: To investigate whether Diff-Quik stained fine needle aspirate smears can be used to evaluate Ki-67 expression by immunocytochemistry. Methods: Both cytological and histological samples were obtained from 24 dogs with spontaneously developed mammary gland tumours. The cytological and histological specimens were examined by Diff-Quik and H&E stains, respectively. After examination, both samples were immunostained using the same Ki-67 antibody. The % Ki-67 values were calculated based on the percentage of positively stained tumour cells per 500 and 1000 tumour cells in cytology and histology specimens, respectively. Results: Ki-67 staining was successful in 17/24 smears (71%) and 19/23 sections (83%). The correlation coefficient between the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells in cytological smears and in the histological sections was 0.677 (P

A 10-year-old intact male Yorkshire Terrier was referred for investigation of a large raised and nonpainful corneal lesion oculus dexter. Clinical examination revealed a pale, translucent corneal mass, which occupied half of the corneal surface and measured 11 mm x 11 mm x 13 mm. The mass was removed by superficial keratectomy and equine amniotic membrane (AM) was transplanted into the large corneal defect to cover the wound and provide tectonic support for the remaining cornea. The mass was histologically confirmed as a corneal epithelial inclusion cyst. There was no evidence of recurrence or complication at the surgical site 100 days postoperatively. Corneal epithelial inclusion cysts are uncommon in dogs. Although superficial keratectomy is the recommended treatment for corneal inclusion cyst, the combination of superficial keratectomy and AM transplantation had to be considered as an alternative for repair of large corneal defects. This is the first case report of the combined application of AM and superficial keratectomy to successfully treat a corneal inclusion cyst in a dog.

Contents Penile tumours are rare in dogs. Reported herein is a case of a penile extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) in a 5-year-old male cocker spaniel that was brought to a local hospital for an evaluation of a penile mass. The mass was approximately 1.3 cm in diameter at the time of presentation. In fine needle aspiration and histopathological examinations, the neoplastic cells showed eccentric round nuclei, a moderate amount of basophilic cytoplasm, and a peri-nuclear clear zone, consistent with plasma cell morphology. There was nuclear pleomorphism with mononuclear giant cells and occasional bi-nucleation. Round cells on the periphery of the mass demonstrated plasmacytic differentiation. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells stained positive for MUM1 and light lambda chain. Based on the cytological and pathological observations, a diagnosis of penile EMP was established.

An 11-year-old neutered male Yorkshire Terrier was presented to the Haemaru Referral Animal Hospital with a history of unresponsive tracheal collapse and an incidental finding of a lung nodule in the left caudal lung lobe on radiography. Thorough physical examination and imaging studies revealed no other masses. Cytologic examination of C-arm mobile fluoroscopy-guided fine-needle aspirates revealed numerous free nuclei and a low number of small round cells with moderate to abundant pale basophilic cytoplasm. Some cells contained indistinct basophilic granules in their cytoplasm, and extracellular pink material was noted. A caudal lung lobectomy was performed, and histologic evaluation of the mass revealed round to polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and round nuclei with mild anisokaryosis and 0-3 mitotic figures per high-power field. Cells were arranged in packets separated by fine fibrovascular stroma, suggestive of a pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasm, specifically a carcinoma/carcinoid. The cells were immunoreactive for chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase, and negative for cytokeratin, synaptophysin, calcitonin, thyroglobulin, parathyroid hormone, CD79a, light lambda, and vimentin. With these findings the tumor was diagnosed as a primary lung carcinoid. Eleven months after resection, there was no evidence of tumor regrowth or metastasis. The absence of necrosis, few mitotic figures, minimal pleomorphism, and benign behavior of this tumor resembled those of a typical carcinoid in humans.

Multiple organ invasion by keratinophilic fungi in the green iguana (Iguana iguana) has not been previously reported. In this case, a 1-yr-old female green iguana presented with a nodular, darkly discolored skin lesion surrounded by necrosis in the right ventral abdominal region. A cytologic examination of the fine needle aspiration of the lesion revealed an exuberant proliferation of fibroblasts, macrophages, and multinucleated cells along with frequent filamentous structures consistent with hyphal elements. The necropsy revealed diffuse infiltration of the liver, lung, and cardiac apex with white nodules. A histopathologic examination of the lesions also confirmed a fungal infection associated with granulomatous inflammation. Rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the chitin synthase 1 gene was conducted for rapid direct detection, and inter-simple sequence repeat fingerprinting was conducted to classify the infectious origin. The PCR analysis definitively demonstrated representative Microsporum canis fungus. The present report is the first case of disseminated M. canis infection with multiorgan involvement in a green iguana.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease caused by Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi sensu lato. It affects humans and dogs worldwide, and has been reported in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and Africa [3]. Vectors of B. burgdorferi sensu lato include various species of hard ticks of the Ixodes spp.. In Korea, B. afzelii, B. garinii, and B. valaisiana have been identified in ticks and several clinical cases of Lyme disease in humans have been reported [1,2,4,11]. However, there are no known occurrences in dogs. We report a possible case of Lyme borreliosis in a hunting dog evaluated by a commercial C6 ELISA kit, IFA, and a laboratory quantitative C6 assay. A 2-year-old male Pointer dog was presented to Haemaru Referral Animal Hospital with signs of anorexia, cachexia, and weight loss of a 10-day duration. The body condition score decreased from 3/5 to 1/5 at presentation. The dog was born and raised in Kwangju, Kyonggi-do. It had been used in hunting, and was exposed to ticks. The hunting area covered Bongwha and Youngju, Kyongsangnam-do. Upon physical examination, a mild fever (39.7℃), lethargy, and enlargement of both superficial cervical lymph nodes were noted. Initial screening tests include CBC, serum chemistry, cytology of fine needle aspirates of enlarged lymph nodes, and abdominal radiography. Blood works and serum chemistry results were all within normal limits, except for mild hyperglobulinemia (4.6 g/dl, reference range 2.5-4.5 g/dl) (Table 1). The radiography showed that the spleen was enlarged (Fig. 1). Smears of lymph node aspirates revealed a predominant population of small lymphocytes with a lesser number of medium to large lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, and macrophages, consistent with neutrophilic lymphadenitis (Fig. 2). Based on this finding, increased serum globulin was considered to be associated with chronic inflammation, and lymphoproliferative neoplasia was ruled out. On the day of the first visit, infectious diseases were screened using a commercial ELISA kit (SNAP 3Dx; IDEXX, USA) for a heartworm (Ehrlichia canis) antigen, and a Lyme antibody (C6 antibody). All the tests were negative except for Lyme disease. On the same day, EDTA whole blood was also submitted to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, for PCR testing for E. canis and Babesia (the results were negative for both). To confirm the positive results of the ELISA kit for Lyme disease, the rest of the patient's serum was submitted to an IDEXX Reference Laboratory (USA) for a C6 titer assay and to Antech Diagnostics (USA) for a Lyme IgG assay. The C6 serum titer was 30 U/ml (positive ≥ 30), and the IgG titer was 1 : 256 (negative < 1 : 64). These results were highly suggestive of active borreliosis. Fig. 1 Radiograph of the spleen. The abdomen was decreased by lack of fat. In the lateral view, soft tissue density structure (arrows) was identified in the ventral region of the middle abdomen, and this structure was considered to be splenomegaly based on the ... Fig. 2 Microphotograph of the enlarged superficial cervical lymph node. Note the mixed population of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and plasma cells with a predominance of small lymphocytes. Some of the cells were lysed in the background. Wright stain, ×400. ... Table 1 CBC and serum chemistry results Treatment with doxycycline (10 mg/kg s.i.d, PO; Myung In Pharm, Korea) and supportive drugs (vitamin C, thiamine, serratiopeptidase and famotidine) was administered for 2 weeks. The dog responded well to treatment and the clinical signs disappeared. 3 weeks after the initiation of treatment, the lymph nodes had returned to normal size and serum globulin levels had decreased to 2.7 g/dl. Post-treatment C6 level was 10 U/ml. C6 peptide is derived from the VlsE antigen, B. burgdorferi surface protein expressed when B. burgdorferi is transmitted to the dog but not expressed in the tick, in tissue culture, or in Lyme vaccines [5,7,8,10]. The sensitivities and specificities of this peptide-based ELISA are reportedly equivalent or superior to those of western blot assays alone or a combination of whole-cell based ELISA and western blot analysis [6,7,9]. The C6 antibody titer has been found to decrease post-treatment because production of the antibody to the C6 peptide may depend on the presence of a viable organism. For this reason, post treatment C6 levels may be used as an indicator of therapy outcome [6,7,10]. The patient in this report was presumptively diagnosed with Lyme borreliosis based on an increased C6 antibody titer. This diagnosis was confirmed by both a commercial Lyme antibody test kit and a laboratory quantitative C6 assay (IDEXX Reference Laboratory, USA) along with an increased IgG titer by IFA. Normal lymph nodes, resolution of the anorexia and fever, and decreased C6 antibody titer post treatment also supported our diagnosis. In a previous report, the median percent decline in C6 level relative to pretreatment values at 6 and 12 months were found to be 68.0% and 83.3%, respectively [6]. However, in this case, a PCR test using peripheral blood was unsuccessful. The negative PCR test may be attributed to the fact that it was done using a peripheral blood sample. Connective tissue, synovia, or skin samples near the tick bite are preferred for PCR because Borrelia organisms rarely spread hematogenously. The organism can also be isolated from the skin area for an extended period. In this case, there was tick infestation when it came to the animal hospital, so if a skin sample from near the tick bite site was used for PCR, positive results would have been possible. A skin biopsy sample from as close as possible to the tick-bite should be submitted for a reliable PCR test [3,12]. To the best of our knowledge, canine Lyme borreliosis has never been reported in Korea. This disease might be underestimated in dogs because B. burgdorferi sensu lato has been isolated in ticks and wild rodents in Korea [1,4,11]. Patients could also easily be overlooked due to good responses to therapy without a proper diagnosis. If a symptomatic dog has outdoor activity and a history of tick infestation, Lyme disease should be included in the differential diagnosis.

A 10-year-old female Dachshund was presented with a history of mammary masses, slight lethargy, polyuria, and polydipsia. Physical examination findings included masses involving the first, second, and fourth mammary glands of the left side. The mandibular, axillary, and right popliteal lymph nodes were mildly enlarged. Serum chemistry results included hypercalcemia (13.9 mg/dL, reference interval 8.0-11.5 mg/dL). Although intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration (1.05 pmol/L) was below the reference interval (2-13 pmol/L), PTH-related protein (PTHrP) concentration was markedly increased (9.40 pmol/L, reference value < 2 pmol/L). The masses were surgically removed, and the histopathologic diagnosis was complex mammary carcinoma. Three weeks after surgery, serum total calcium concentration had decreased to 10.5 mg/dL. Resolution of the hypercalcemia and clinical signs supported a diagnosis of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy associated with mammary gland carcinoma.

A 12-year-old spayed female mixed-bred dog presented with nasal bleeding of 2 days duration and a skin nodule in the left flank. No abnormalities were found in coagulation profiles and blood pressure. Cytological evaluation of the nodule revealed numerous characteristic round organisms having a nucleus and a bar within macrophages and in the background, consistent with leishmaniasis. In vitro culture was unsuccessful but PCR of the nodular aspirate identified the organisms as Leishmania infantum, and the final diagnosis was canine leishmaniasis. No history of travel to endemic countries was noted. Because the dog had received a blood transfusion 2 years before the illness, serological screening tests were performed in all donor dogs of the commercial blood bank using the commercial Leishmania ELISA test kit, and there were no positive results. Additional 113 dogs with hyperglobulinemia from Seoul were also screened with the same kits but no positive results were obtained. To the best of the author"s knowledge this is the first autochthonous case of canine leishmaniasis in Korea.

A 6-year-old intact female Pointer dog was presented for evaluation of acute onset of ataxia, circling, and head tilt. Neurologic assessment revealed overall decreased postural reaction, left-sided hemiparesis with incoordination, rigidity of fore- and hindlimbs, strabismus of the right eye, and bilateral horizontal nystagmus. Using magnetic resonance imaging, a mass lesion was identified in the cerebrum adjacent to the left side of the cerebellum compressing the brain stem ventrally. The mass was incompletely resected, and during surgery fine-needle aspiration and biopsy of the mass were performed. Cytologically, smears were highly cellular and contained predominantly small to medium-sized discrete round cells with high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratios and round nuclei with rare deep clefts or indentation, smooth chromatin, and indistinct nucleoli. Numerous cytoplasmic fragments were noted in the background. The primary diagnosis was lymphoma; other differential diagnoses included neuroendocrine tumor and poorly differentiated tumor of neural origin. The histologic diagnosis was lymphoma, and the lesion was presumed to be metastatic. On immunohistochemical analysis, the cells expressed neither CD3 nor CD79a. Re-examination of the histologic section revealed disorganized sheets of cells with multifocal palisading and perivascular arrangements of rosette-like structures. An expanded panel of antibodies to vimentin, cytokeratin, glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin (SYN), S-100, and CD45 was applied to histologic sections. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for vimentin, NSE, and S-100. Based on the histologic appearance and immunophenotype of the tumor, a diagnosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) was made. PNET, although rare in dogs, should be considered as a differential diagnosis for round cell tumors in the brain.

This report describes cases of central nervous system (CNS) relapse that occurred during chemotherapy in 3 dogs with lymphoma. Diagnosis was made by a combination of clinical signs and cytology of cerebrospinal fluid. The suspected risk factors, clinical features common to the 3 dogs, and treatment options are discussed.

Topical 0.03% tacrolimus was used for treatment of a Korea Jindo dog diagnosed with pemphigus erythematosus. The dog was slowly improved following application of tacrolimus but did not achieve complete remission until end of this study. No adverse effects on clinical or laboratory parameters were noted during the topical tacrolimus therapy period.

A 10-year-old Maltese dog was presented with abdominal distention and dyspnea. Cytological examination of pleural and peritoneal effusion was suggestive of malignant effusion of glandular origin. Numerous, multifocal, tan to white nodules were disseminated throughout the surface of the abdominal organs and peritoneum at biopsy. Histologically, the tumors were revealed to be an epithelial type of mesothelioma. Neoplastic cells co-expressed cytokeratin and vimentin. Intravenous administration of cisplatin was chosen as the treatment. During treatment, the dog's overall body condition improved and the clinical signs were relieved without significant side effects. The survival time from diagnosis to sudden death by unknown cause was 153 days.

An 8-month old intact male Turkish Angora cat was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), Seoul National University, for an evaluation of anorexia and severe dyspnea. The thoracic radiographs revealed significant pleural effusion. A cytology evaluation of the pleural fluid strongly suggested a lymphoma containing variable sized lymphocytes with frequent mitotic figures and prominent nucleoli. The feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus tests were negative. The cat was euthanized at his owner's request and a necropsy was performed. A mass was detected on the mediastinum and lung lobes. A histopathology evaluation confirmed the mass to be a lymphoma. Immunohistochemistry revealed the mass to be CD3 positive. In conclusion, the cat was diagnosed as a T-cell mediastinal lymphoma.

A 3-year-old intact female domestic shorthair cat was presented for the evaluation of a palpable intra-abdominal mass in the left caudal abdomen. The cat had a history of anorexia, depression and prolonged estrus over a period of about 1 month. Smears prepared from a fine needle aspirate of the mass revealed large round to oval cells arranged individually or in loose clusters surrounded by pink, fibrillar matrix material. Cytoplasm was basophilic, with many variably-sized vacuoles and variable numbers of small purple granules. The vacuoles within the cells were strongly positive with Oil-Red-O stain. The cytologic features were most suggestive of a neoplasm of epithelial cell origin or inadvertent aspiration of a fatty liver. At laparotomy, the mass was found to involve the left ovary. Histologically, the tumor consisted of dense sheets and nests of irregular polyhedral, pleomorphic cells with abundant, finely vesiculated cytoplasm. The tumor cells were separated into lobules by strands of connective tissue. Based on histologic evaluation, a diagnosis of ovarian luteoma was made. In this report, we document the cytologic and histologic features of an uncommon feline tumor, a luteoma, and address its possible misdiagnosis as hepatic lipidosis when using cytology alone to make a diagnosis.

A seven-year-old castrated male Yorkshire terrier dog was presented for a recurrent skin disease. Erythematous skin during the first visit progressed from multiple plaques to patch lesions and exudative erosion in the oral mucosa membrane. Biopsy samples were taken from erythematous skin and were diagnosed with epitheliotropic T cell cutaneous lymphoma by histopathology and immunochemical stain. In serum chemistry, the dog had a hypercalcemia (15.7 mg/dl) and mild increased alkaline phosphatase (417 U/l). Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTH-rP) in epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma tissues but the neoplastic cells were not labeled with anti-PTH-rP antibodies. The patient was treated with prednisolone and isotretinoin. However, the dog died unexpectedly.