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Published on: September 12, 2019
Cutaneous lymphomas in European pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
J M Ritter1, W von Bomhard, A G Wise
1Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health and Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI 48910, USA.
Veterinary Pathology
|February 7, 2012
Summary
Cutaneous lymphoma is common in European pet rabbits but rare in North American rabbits. This study characterized these neoplasms, finding no viral cause for the geographic difference.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Oncology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Cutaneous lymphoma is a prevalent skin neoplasm in European pet rabbits, contrasting with its rarity in North American counterparts.
- The specific characteristics and etiology of rabbit cutaneous lymphoma, particularly the geographic disparity, remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To morphologically and immunohistochemically characterize cutaneous lymphomas in European pet rabbits.
- To investigate a potential viral etiology for the observed geographic predilection of these neoplasms.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 25 cutaneous lymphomas from European pet rabbits.
- Morphological and immunohistochemical characterization based on WHO classification.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to screen for retroviral and herpesviral genes.
Main Results:
- Tumors classified as diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL), with subtypes centroblastic/centrocytic (14) and T cell-rich B cell (11).
- Cutaneous lymphomas in rabbits exhibited high pleomorphism and frequent multinucleated giant cells, differing from other domestic animals.
- No retroviral or herpesviral genes were detected in the evaluated samples.
- T cell-rich B cell lymphoma was unexpectedly the second most common subtype, a rarity in most species.
Conclusions:
- The characterized cutaneous lymphomas in European pet rabbits are primarily diffuse large B cell lymphomas, with a notable prevalence of the T cell-rich B cell subtype.
- Current findings do not support a viral etiology for the higher incidence of cutaneous lymphoma in European pet rabbits compared to North American rabbits.
- Further research into genetic and environmental factors is necessary to elucidate the causes of these tumors.
