Clinicopathologic Findings of Spontaneous Leukemia in 9 Pet African Hedgehogs (Atelerix Albiventris)

Myxofibrosarcoma of the penis in an African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) - A clinical case

A 3-year-old, 420 g, intact male African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was presented with a sudden appearance of a mass protruding from its preputium. A detailed physical examination revealed the presence of a polyp-like mass, connected to the mucous membrane of the penis and a second, multilobular mass with a larger base. Both masses were surgically removed. While the histopathological examination of the polyp-like mass revealed only a chronic active inflammatory reaction, the histopathological examination of the multilobular mass revealed a tumorous tissue composed of spindle-shaped cells, irregularly oval or polygonal in some places. Focal tumour cells with a myxoid differentiation were observed in the greater part of this tumour. The stroma was made up of sparse fibrous tissue. The surface epithelium was hyperplastic with ulcerations and necrosis. The tumour was classified as a myxofibrosarcoma. Two weeks post-surgery, the patient did not show any clinical signs of the presented disease. According to our knowledge, this is the first published case of the surgical treatment of penile myxofibrosarcoma in an African pygmy hedgehog.

Eosinophilic Leukaemia and Systemic Mycobacterium marinum Infection in an African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

A two-year-old male African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) presented with lethargy and anorexia. Ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations revealed splenomegaly and pneumonia, respectively. Prominent leucocytosis, consisting mainly of large atypical eosinophils, was observed in a peripheral blood smear. Necropsy revealed a black scab on the left hindlimb, which was swollen, an enlarged left inguinal lymph node, firm oedematous lungs, splenomegaly and multiple nodules in the lung, spleen and liver. Histopathologically, infiltration of numerous eosinophils was seen in lung, spleen, liver, kidney, lymph node and adrenal medulla tissues. Necrotizing granulomatous lesions, with intralesional acid-fast bacilli, were found in the lung, spleen, liver, left inguinal lymph node and left hindlimb. Mycobacterium marinum was identified by broad-range polymerase chain reaction targeting of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of systemic M. marinum infection in any mammalian species.

Primary localized histiocytic sarcoma of the lumbar vertebrae in a four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

We describe a case of primary localized histiocytic sarcoma of the lumbar vertebrae in a four-toed hedgehog. The case showed aggressive osteolysis of lumbar vertebrae on radiography, and a soft-tissue mass effacing this region was noted, suggesting a neoplastic lesion. No metastatic lesions were apparent. Antemortem diagnosis was challenging, and necropsy was performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with localized histiocytic sarcoma. This report provides documentation of the clinical and pathologic features of an unusual form of histiocytic sarcoma localizing to lumbar vertebrae in a four-toed hedgehog.