Ovine small intestinal adenocarcinomas are not associated with infection by herpesviruses, Helicobacter species or Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis

Gastric adenocarcinoma with carcinomatosis and degenerative joint disease of the xiphisternum in a Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)

Gastric adenocarcinomas have been sporadically reported in camelids. This report describes a primary gastric adenocarcinoma and subsequent peritoneal carcinomatosis in a 20-year-old female Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus). Numerous metastases were present throughout the omentum, liver, abdominal lymph nodes, intestinal serosa, kidneys and lungs. The primary tumour macroscopically resembled an ulcerated crater and originated from the distal four-fifths of the C3 compartment, an anatomical region with naturally prominent gastric rugae and true glands. Moderate numbers of Helicobacter spp colonies were present within gastric pits and necrotic areas of C3. Ménetrier's disease has previously been implicated as a predisposing condition for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma in another camel, but no evidence of this premalignant disorder was found in this case. This camel also suffered from a chronic skin wound of the hump and severe degenerative joint disease of the xiphisternum, the latter of which was presumably associated with excessive pressure on the sternum.

Neoplasia-Associated Wasting Diseases with Economic Relevance in the Sheep Industry

We review three neoplastic wasting diseases affecting sheep generally recorded under common production cycles and with epidemiological and economic relevance in sheep-rearing countries: small intestinal adenocarcinoma (SIA), ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) and enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma (ENA). SIA is prevalent in Australia and New Zealand but present elsewhere in the world. This neoplasia is a tubular or signet-ring adenocarcinoma mainly located in the middle or distal term of the small intestine. Predisposing factors and aetiology are not known, but genetic factors or environmental carcinogens may be involved. OPA is a contagious lung cancer caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and has been reported in most sheep-rearing countries, resulting in significant economic losses. The disease is clinically characterized by a chronic respiratory process as a consequence of the development of lung adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis is based on the detection of JSRV in the tumour lesion by immunohistochemistry and PCR. In vivo diagnosis may be difficult, mainly in preclinical cases. ENA is a neoplasia of glands of the nasal mucosa and is associated with enzootic nasal tumour virus 1 (ENTV-1), which is similar to JSRV. ENA enzootically occurs in many countries of the world with the exception of Australia and New Zealand. The pathology associated with this neoplasia corresponds with a space occupying lesion histologically characterized as a low-grade adenocarcinoma. The combination of PCR and immunohistochemistry for diagnosis is advised.

Helicobacter spp. other than Helicobacter pylori

Non-H. pylori Helicobacter species (NHPHS) are associated with several important human and animal diseases. In the past year research into this group of bacteria has continued to gain attention, and novel species have been described in new niches owing to improvements in detection methods. Polymerase chain reaction and/or sequencing remain the gold standard for the detection of this genus. New insights into the pathogenesis of the NHPHS in hepatobiliary, gastric, and intestinal diseases were gained. In particular, data revealed interaction between hepatic steatosis and infectious hepatitis in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Evidence of an association between hepatitis C virus and Helicobacter spp. in hepatocarcinoma development was also provided; and male sex hormone signaling appeared to influence infectious hepatitis induced by Helicobacter hepaticus. More findings support an association between Helicobacter heilmannii and gastric adenocarcinoma; and in mice, mucins MUC4 and MUC5 but not MUC1 influence the colonization and pathogenesis of Helicobacter felis. Data indicated that the roles of the adaptive immune system in H. hepaticus-induced intestinal tumorigenesis are different in the small and large intestines, and environmental factors, such as bile acids may modulate H. hepaticus carcinogenic potential. New reports in the prevention and eradication of NHPHS showed a protective response against Helicobacter suis induced by vaccine administration, and a successful cross-foster rederivation method successfully eradicated Helicobacter spp. from contaminated mice litters. Overall, the studies provided insights into the pathophysiology of Helicobacter species other than Helicobacter pylori.