Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx and Esophagus with Pulmonary Metastasis in a Backyard Laying Hen

Survey of the Clinical, Cytological, and Histopathological Features Associated with Neoplasms in Captive Avian Species in Melbourne, Australia

Over a 3.5-year period, tissue samples from 141 companion and aviary birds with clinically suspected, naturally occurring solid neoplasms were collected via surgical biopsy (n = 53) or at necropsy examination (n = 88) from a population of birds presenting to an avian veterinary clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Neoplastic processes were identified in 73.7% (n = 104) of samples, with 83.7% (n = 87) being interpreted as malignant neoplasia and 16.3% (n = 17) being interpreted as benign neoplasia. The overall estimated prevalence of neoplasia in the study population (n = 5125) was 2.45% (95% confidence interval, 2-2.97%). The gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts were the most commonly affected systems. The most common presenting signs were nonspecific and included lethargy, coelomic distension, and inappetence. In 59 cases, fine-needle aspirates (FNAs) and impression smears were also obtained and evaluated cytologically. The accuracy of cytology for detecting neoplasia in birds and for determining whether a neoplastic process was benign or malignant was assessed by using histopathology as the "gold standard." There was complete agreement between the cytological and histopathological diagnoses in 72.8% (43/59) of cases. Cytology correctly identified 87.5% of these cases (35/40) as malignant neoplasms and 55.6% (5/9) as benign processes. There was no significant difference between the use of cytology and histopathology for the detection of malignant neoplasia in birds (P = 0.185). The accuracies of FNAs and impression smears for examining avian tumors were also compared. Overall, the best cell preservation was obtained by performing impression smears from tissues, with 62.2% (n = 28) returning high cellularity for cytological examination, compared to 53.8% (n = 14) when samples were obtained by FNA. This study provides an overview of the types and prevalence of neoplasms in a captive bird population from Australia, correlates physical examination findings with tumor types, and provides evidence that cytology is a reliable preliminary diagnostic tool for detecting neoplasia in birds.

Histopathological Findings and Metagenomic Analysis of Esophageal Papillary Proliferation Identified in Laying Broiler Breeders

Simple Summary

This study describes the histopathological finding of mucosal papillary proliferation observed in the esophagus of chicken and attempts to determine its infectious etiology using metagenomics. Unlike squamous metaplasia of the esophageal mucosa due to vitamin A deficiency, the stratified squamous epithelial cells of the esophagus were completely replaced by increased numbers of ducts/ductules, lymphocytes, and connective tissue, and multiple hyperplasia of the esophageal gland was observed. As the result of the metagenomic analysis of esophagus samples from this chicken, no viral cause was identified; however, the contributing role of Bradyrhizobium sp. could not be excluded. In this study, we report the first histopathological examination of a rare case of an esophageal papillary lesion appearing as adenoma in a chicken and highlight the importance of histopathological results for a definitive diagnosis of such cases.

Abstract

White or pale-yellow nodules 2–7 mm in length were observed in the esophageal lumen in a number of laying broiler breeders with reduced laying rates. Metaplasia of the mucosal epithelial layer and mucous gland, as well as lymphocyte infiltration under the esophageal mucous gland and epithelial cell layer, were observed, which we found were caused by vitamin A deficiency. In one chicken, however, the stratified squamous epithelial cells of the esophagus were completely replaced by increased numbers of ducts/ductules, lymphocytes, and connective tissue, resulting in a papillary morphology. The ducts were surrounded by a fibrous stroma. Multiple hyperplasia of the esophageal gland was also observed and the esophageal glands were lined by a single layer of columnar cells, and a large number of lymphocytes were infiltrated into the submucosal layer. Based on the gross findings, this papillary proliferation was considered papilloma, but histopathologically, a mass composed of squamous epithelium was not observed. Therefore, the papillary lesion appeared as adenoma with squamous metaplasia of the esophageal gland and ectasia, or mucosal epithelial papillary hyperplasia, associated with chronic esophagitis. A metagenomic analysis of the esophagus samples from this chicken was performed to determine the infectious etiology. No viral cause was identified; however, a contributing role of Bradyrhizobium sp. could not be excluded. In this study, we report the first histopathological examination of a rare case of esophageal papillary proliferation in a chicken and highlight the importance of histopathological results for a definitive diagnosis of such cases.

Antemortem diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) and a mealy Amazon parrot (Amazona farinosa)

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 28-year-old blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) with a 1 -week history of regurgitation-like movement of the neck and a 34-year-old mealy Amazon parrot (Amazona farinosa) with a 1- to 2-day history of regurgitation and crop distention were evaluated.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Full-body radiography of the blue-fronted Amazon parrot revealed a soft tissue structure in the right side of the neck, cranial to the crop. Results of cytologic examination of a fine-needle aspirate specimen of the mass were diagnostic for an epithelial sarcoma involving the esophagus. For the mealy Amazon parrot, CT revealed diffuse esophageal thickening that was most consistent with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma on the basis of its location and appearance. Both parrots had secondary bacterial ingluvitis.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

Given the location and extent of the neoplasm in each bird, surgical excision was not undertaken. Options of chemotherapy and radiation therapy were explored but declined by the owners owing to concerns regarding the parrots' quality of life. Both parrots were euthanized, and necropsy findings confirmed the diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in both cases.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Both parrots of the present report had a palpable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma detected during physical examination. Although rare, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma should be included as a differential diagnosis for psittacines with upper gastrointestinal tract signs. Treatment to extend duration or quality of life of affected parrots hinges on antemortem diagnosis, which appears feasible in clinical practice.

Avian Papilloma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: a Histopathological, Immunohistochemical and Virological study

In this retrospective study, we describe the histopathological findings in seven papillomas and 45 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) from psittacine birds, raptors and domestic fowl. The age of affected birds ranged from 3 to 40 years, with median age significantly higher in psittacines (P = 0.014). The majority of tumours were located in the skin (24/52, 46.2%) or uropygial gland (10/52, 19.2%). Thirty of the SCCs (66.7%) were well differentiated and 15 (33.3%) were poorly-differentiated. SCCs exhibited a significantly higher degree of nuclear pleomorphism (P = 0.005) and a greater proportion were ulcerated (P = 0.001) compared with papillomas; however, there was no significant difference in mitotic count (MC) or inflammation score. The expression of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 and E-cadherin was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The COX-2 total score (TS) was significantly higher in SCCs compared with papillomas (P = 0.002), but the difference between COX-2 TS of well- and poorly-differentiated SCCs was not significant. COX-2 labelling was predominantly cytoplasmic, but some tumours had concurrent membranous and/or perinuclear labelling. SCCs with membranous labelling had a significantly higher MC (P = 0.028). A significantly higher proportion of SCCs were negative for E-cadherin compared with papillomas (P = 0.042), but there was no significant difference between well- and poorly-differentiated SCCs. Fourteen papillomas and SCCs from psittacines were also tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of Psittacus erithacus papillomavirus 1 and Psittacid herpesvirus 1, but all samples tested negative. We demonstrate for the first time the expression of COX-2 and E-cadherin in avian tissues, and suggest that these markers may be useful in differentiating papillomas from SCCs, particularly when sample size is small.