Phagocytic plasmacytoma in a dog.

A 4-year-old neutered male Golden Retriever was presented to the oncology service of the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for staging of a histiocytic sarcoma of the left forelimb, diagnosed on the basis of biopsies submitted by the referring veterinarian. Cytologic assessment of aspirates of 2 splenic nodules identified on ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen revealed a highly phagocytic population of neoplastic round cells morphologically suggestive of plasma cells. Histologic assessment of the forelimb mass after amputation of the limb revealed a neoplastic round cell population demonstrating extensive cytophagia and erythrophagia.

Cytokine modulation of the innate immune response in feline immunodeficiency virus-infected cats.

Background: In vitro data suggest that innate immune function in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients is compromised; however, in vivo studies are lacking. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in cats provides an excellent model to explore innate immune function in vivo. The innate response against Listeria monocytogenes is well understood, making it a useful immune probe.

In vivo cytokine response to experimental feline infectious peritonitis virus infection.

Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) is a coronavirus that causes sporadic fatal disease in cats characterized by vasculitis, granulomatous inflammation and effusive pleuritis/peritonitis. Histologic changes in lymphoid tissues include lymphoid hyperplasia, lymphoid depletion, histiocytosis, and granuloma formation. Although viremia occurs, histologic lesions are not found uniformly throughout lymphoid tissues.