Nodal, Uterine and Meningeal γδ T‐Cell Lymphomas in Cattle

Abstract

Three cases of bovine gamma(delta) T-cell lymphoma without skin involvement are described. Case 1 was a 17-month-old Holstein heifer with generalized lymphadenopathy. Case 2 was a 4-year-old Holstein cow that had multiple tumour masses in the uterine body and horns. Case 3, a 23-month-old Holstein bull was presented with generalized tremor, nystagmus and hyperesthaesia, and there were several tumour masses in the meninges. Cases 1 and 2 had epitheliotropic neoplastic infiltrates in the tonsillar epithelium and endometrial glands, respectively. Immunohistochemistry showed CD3+, WC1+, CD79a- lymphoma cells in all cases, and perforin was positive in two cases. Electron-dense granules were present in many neoplastic cells of all cases. These findings supported the cytotoxic gamma(delta) T-cell origin of the present lymphomas. Bovine gamma(delta) T-cell lymphoma may originate in a wide variety of anatomical sites and may be classified into several histological subtypes.

Immunohistochemical Study of Lymphomas of Abdominal Cavity Origin in Two Cows with Bovine Leukemia Virus

“…The majority of bovine WC1-positive γδ T cell lymphomas affect the skin or mucous membranes, and show epitheliotropism 7,10,11 . This corresponds to the fact that WC1-positive γδ T cells are found in high numbers in the tissues and seem to defend the body surfaces 5,13 .…”

“…The lymphoma was thought to be of intra-abdominal γδ T cell origin 7 . Like B-1 cells, γδ T In case 2, the 14-year-old cow was infected with BLV, but the lymphoma seemed to be etiologically unassociated with BLV because cattle with γδ T cell lymphoma are usually BLV negative 7,11 . If immunohistochemistry had not been performed, the lymphoma might have been mistakenly diagnosed as adult-form lymphoma of abdominal cavity origin.…”

“…Adult-form lymphoma, which is associated with bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection, is immunohistochemically dividable into three types; B-1a, B-1b and B-2 14 . γδ T cell lymphomas were found in BLV-negative cattle, and could be classified into several histologic subtypes 7,11 . Although adult-form lymphoma is generalized in tissue distribution 12,14 , γδ T cell lymphoma has a tendency to affect the skin and mucous membranes 7,10,11 .…”

“…γδ T cell lymphomas were found in BLV-negative cattle, and could be classified into several histologic subtypes 7,11 . Although adult-form lymphoma is generalized in tissue distribution 12,14 , γδ T cell lymphoma has a tendency to affect the skin and mucous membranes 7,10,11 . In this paper, we describe two cases of lymphoma of innatelike lymphocyte origin (B-1 B cell lymphoma and γδ T cell lymphoma) that were thought to have arisen from the abdominal cavity.…”

Cytologic Variants of .GAMMA..DELTA. T Cell Lymphoma in Cattle

“…In cattle, γδ T cell lymphoma is characterized by WC1 expression, and most cases have neoplastic lesions chiefly in extranodal sites such as the skin, intestine, uterus, abdominal cavity and meninges [1,8,10,14], though a case of nodal γδ T cell lymphoma has been reported [14]. Unlike the most common form of cutaneous lymphoma, which is one of 4 forms of bovine leukosis [15], cutaneous γδ T cell lymphoma may be accompanied with epitheliotropic neoplastic infiltrates in various internal organs [7,13].…”