Intraocular neuroectodermal embryonal tumor in two rabbits

Abstract

Spontaneous intraocular tumors are rarely reported in rabbits, despite their widespread use as laboratory animals. We describe two cases of intraocular neuroectodermal embryonal tumors, formerly primitive neuroectodermal tumors, in young rabbits. Histologically, both tumors exhibited prominent rosette or pseudorosettes, consistent with the histomorphology seen in human tumors. The neuroectodermal subtype is supported by immunoreactivity for the neuronal markers, SRY-box transcription factor 2, microtubule-associated protein 2, neuronal nuclear protein, and neuron-specific enolase. In one of the rabbits, there was metastasis to the contralateral conjunctiva. Intraocular neoplasms can occur in young rabbits and eyes with refractory disease should be enucleated for clinical management.

Spinal Cord Medulloepithelioma in a Cat

“…In animals, MEPL has been mostly described as an intraocular tumor in horses [1][2][3][4], dogs [5][6][7][8][9], cats [10,11], llamas [12,13], and cockatiels [14,15], with single case descriptions in a goldfish [16], an African grey parrot [17], and a northern, red-shouldered macaw [18]. A primary intraocular neuroepithelial embryonal tumor with histological features of retinoblastoma and MEPL has been reported in two rabbits [19]. Metastases of intraocular MEPL to the brain and kidneys have been described in a dog [8] and to the lymph nodes, lungs, and liver in a horse [3] and llama [13].…”