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Dentinogenic Ghost Cell Tumor in a Sumatran Rhinoceros
Annas Salleh1, Zainal Z Zainuddin2, Reza M M Tarmizi2
1Department of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|April 30, 2021
Summary
A rare dentinogenic ghost cell tumor was diagnosed in an adult female Sumatran rhinoceros. This aggressive tumor presented as a large infraorbital mass, requiring euthanasia for the animal.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Neoplastic Disease Research
- Wildlife Oncology
Background:
- Sumatran rhinoceroses are critically endangered, making any health anomaly significant.
- Tumors in exotic megafauna are infrequently documented, posing diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- An adult female Sumatran rhinoceros presented with a rapidly growing left infraorbital swelling.
- Radiographic imaging revealed a cystic radiolucent lesion within the left maxilla.
- The animal was euthanized due to the mass's progression, measuring 21 cm × 30 cm at necropsy.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination identified numerous pleomorphic neoplastic epithelial cells with infiltration.
- Dentinoid material, ghost cells, and keratin pearls were observed, indicative of odontogenic origin.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed positive staining for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 in neoplastic cells and keratin pearls, with focal S-100 positivity in some keratin pearls.
Implications:
- The diagnosis of dentinogenic ghost cell tumor in this species highlights the potential for diverse neoplastic conditions in Sumatran rhinoceroses.
- This case underscores the importance of advanced diagnostic techniques, including histopathology and immunohistochemistry, for characterizing rare tumors in wildlife.
- Understanding such pathologies is crucial for conservation efforts and veterinary management of endangered species.
