Central nervous system t cells lymphoma in a common dolphin

Abstract

On the 13th of June 2000, a group of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) were sighted next to Las Canteras beach (Gran Canaria). One of them, a male adult, showed an anomalous behaviour with the intention of beaching. The dolphin died before moving to the recuperation centre for its medical attendance. Then it was carried to the Veterinary School of Las Palmas University where a complete necropsy was performed, showing as main findings congestion of different systems and granulomata of different sizes on the lungs. The most significant change was found in the hypothalamic area where a nodular mass of 3 cm in diameter was detected. The histological examination of the nervous system showed the presence of different sized rounded cells and evidence of nuclear pleomorphism, with 1-2 mitotic figures per field of high magnification. Areas of necrosis associated with cells with lymphohistiocytic appearance were also noticed. Several layers of mature lymphoid cells with scarce cytoplasm were present on the Virchow-Robbin spaces. In order to determine the cellular inmunophenotype of the neoplasia, inmunohisthochemical methods were applying by using a panel of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Inmunohisthological results showed reaction to the CD3 lymphocyte T antigen in the membrane of most neoplastic cells. The tumour was diagnosed as a primary round-cell neoplasm of the Central Nervous System on the basis of its growing pattern, organic location, and the cellular morphology. The immunohistochemical result confirmed the diagnosis of a Primary Lymphoma of T-Cell.