Soft Tissue Sarcomas in the African Hedgehog (Atelerix Albiventris): Microscopic and Immunohistologic Study of Three Cases

Abstract

Abstract. Three soft tissue tumors from 2 female hedgehogs were examined microscopically and immunohistochemically. Two tumors involved haired skin and the third one was vaginal. Microscopically, the cutaneous tumors had features of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), whereas the vaginal tumor was classified only as a spindle cell sarcoma. Immunohistochemically, all 3 tumors were strongly positive for vimentin and strongly to moderately positive for CD10 and neuron-specific enolase but did not stain with antibody to S100 protein, an antigen typically present in human MPNST. The cutaneous tumor from hedgehog no. 1 was examined ultrastructurally and the neoplastic cells resembled fibroblasts. Hedgehog no. 1 was euthanized at the time of the biopsy. The outcome of the other hedgehog was unknown.African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are popular exotic pets. Consequently, there is demand for information regarding their husbandry and diseases. 22 Neoplastic diseases constitute approximately 30% of the histopathologic diagnoses made in hedgehogs. 22 A search of the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL), Columbia, MO, database (1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000) found 40 accessions of hedgehogs with histopathologic exam. Sixty-three percent of the cases were nonneoplastic, 37% were neoplastic. This report describes the morphologic and immunohistochemical features of 3 spindle cell sarcomas in 2 African hedgehogs. Case no. 1 was a 4.5-month-old female African hedgehog, which developed a mass on the medial aspect of the right foreleg. The hedgehog was euthanized at the owner's request. The 3-cm-diameter mass and multiple organs were collected by the referring veterinarian for histopathologic examination at the VMDL. Case no. 2 was a 3-year-old female African hedgehog with a mass in the right lumbar skin and another mass in the vagina, which were excised and sent to the VMDL for histopathologic examination.Tissues were fixed for an undetermined period in 10% buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin. Five-micrometer sections were stained with HE and Masson trichrome. For immunohistochemistry, paraffin sections were placed on positively charged slides and stained with antibodies to vimentin, a smooth muscle-specific actin, a muscle-specific actin, a desmin, a CD10, b S100 protein, a neuron-specific enolase, a chromogranin A, a synaptophysin, a glial fibrillary acidic protein, a and factor VIII-related antigen a following described methods. 18 Immunohistochemical staining was performed in From the Veterinary

Estrogen and progesterone receptors immunolabeling in mammary solid carcinoma in an African Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) with concurrent uterine fibrosarcoma

“…A panel of antibodies has been applied for characterization of sarcomas in this species, with immunolabeling ranging from strong to moderate for vimentin, smooth muscle actin, laminin and CD10 (11). In European hedgehogs, cross-reactivity to VIIIRa factor, 41 macrophage antigen, Ki-67, AE1/AE3, 34β12 and CK20 was achieved (3).…”

“…Due to lack of antigens associated with muscle or neural differentiation, strong expression of vimentin and lack of expression of pancytokeratin (ruling out spindle cell carcinoma), a final diagnosis of uterine fibrosarcoma was offered. Several antibodies, like smooth muscle antiactin, anti-CD10, among others, have already been employed for diagnosis of sarcomas in African hedgehogs (11).…”

“…African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) became a common pet in United States (6,11), and its popularity is gradually increasing in Brazil. However, scientific literature on diseases that affect these small animals is scarce worldwide and nationally (10,14).…”

Squamous cell carcinoma and consequent otitis in a long-eared hedgehog ( Hemiechinus auritus ) — Case report

“…Microscopically, the cutaneous tumours had features of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, whereas the vaginal tumour was classified only as a spindle cell sarcoma. Immunohistochemically, all three tumours were strongly positive for vimentin and strongly to moderately positive for CD10 and neuron-specific enolase (Ramos-Vara, 2001). There are several reports on haematopoietic tumours as well, mainly represented by lymphomas.…”

Spontaneous Subcutaneous Myxosarcoma in a Captive European Hedgehog (Erinsceus Europaeus)

“…20 Other tumors reported in hedgehogs include granulosa cell tumor, thyroid c-cell carcinoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, pituitary adenoma, uterine adenocarcinoma and leiomyosarcoma, subcutaneous osteosarcoma and schwannoma, and cutaneous fibrosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma. 2,4,9,16,19,20,22,25 Myxosarcomas associated with viral agents have been documented in rabbits infected with rabbit fibroma virus 10 and golden hamsters. 6 Retroviral particles have been detected using electron microscopy in an African hedgehog with multicentric skeletal sarcomas 18 and intestinal lymphosarcoma.…”