Oncocytic adrenocortical carcinoma in a putty-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans) with hyperadrenocorticism

Naturally Occurring Endocrine Disorders in Non-Human Primates: A Comprehensive Review

Literature concerning veterinary medicine of non-human primates is continuously updated, yet endocrine disorders remain underreported. While case or survey reports of individual endocrinopathies are available, a comprehensive review is not. An exhaustive literature search on this subject via widely used academic search systems, (e.g., Google Scholar, PubMed, BioOne complete and Web of Science), and peer-reviewed publications, proceedings, and newsletters was performed. Selected major endocrine entities will be described with emphasis on clinical signs, morphologic appearances, concomitant diseases, as well as available treatment options. Mostly, no clinical signs were noted and on gross pathology, the endocrine organs were unremarkable. An endocrine-related diagnosis was frequently made as an incidental finding after standard histopathological examination. During the review, the pancreas represented the most affected endocrine organ and diabetes mellitus represented the most clinically significant disorder. Currently, no standard procedure for diagnosing, monitoring, or treating endocrine disorders in non-human primates exists.

Cytological, histological and ultrastructural nuclear features of monster cells in a canine carotid body carcinoma

A 7-year-old female Shih-tzu dog was presented with severe dyspnoea. A large mass was palpated in the left cranial neck. Cytological examination of an aspirate sample revealed cells with marked anisokaryosis, giant elements and many bare nuclei. Scattered intact giant cells showed scant, granular cytoplasm and intranuclear inclusions. Histologically, neoplastic cells were subdivided into lobules by fine collagenous trabeculae. Numerous pleomorphic giant, or 'monster', cells were observed, showing a highly indented nuclear envelope, intranuclear cytoplasmic pseudoinclusions (ICPs) and 'ground-glass' nuclear appearance. Neoplastic emboli were present, but no distant metastases were detected grossly. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells expressed synaptophysin and had variable expression of neuron-specific enolase and vimentin. The cells were negative for pan-cytokeratin, CAM 5.2, glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100. Nuclear abnormalities and cytoplasmic neurosecretory granules were noted ultrastructurally. These features were consistent with a diagnosis of carotid body carcinoma (chemodectoma). Monster cells with ICPs have not been documented previously in canine chemodectoma.