Case report: Haemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma in an english setter

A 4-year-old English setter presented with a 1-week history of anorexia, lethargy and occasional vomiting. Blood analysis revealed moderate regenerative anaemia, mild monocytosis, thrombocytopaenia, hypoproteinaemia, hypoglobulinaemia, hypocholesterolaemia and increased C-reactive protein. On ultrasonography, the spleen had multifocal hypoechoic lesions. Fine needle aspirates from the spleen and liver showed marked extramedullary haematopoiesis, an increased number of histiocytes, haemosiderin deposits and erythrophagocytosis. A tentative diagnosis of haemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma (HHS) was made, and the owners elected euthanasia. On autopsy, the liver and spleen were enlarged. The spleen had an uneven surface and a yellow-tan spotted appearance. Histologically, the red pulp was highly cellular and dominated by erythroid cells, as well as a population of larger polygonal cells and aggregates of histiocytes. HHS was confirmed by CD11d immunolabelling. This represents the first documented case of HHS in an English setter.