title: Ten cases of feline mesothelioma: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.
abstract: In the cat only 10 cases of mesothelioma, mainly of the peritoneum, have been previously reported. This paper describes a further 10 cases, eight pleural and two peritoneal, in males and females aged 1-17 years. Histologically, five tumours were epithelial, three fibrosarcomatous and two biphasic. Immunohistochemical markers used in human pathology for the identification of mesotheliomas include vimentin, cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3, HBME-1, CK 5/6, calretinin, thrombomodulin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CD15, E-cadherin and desmin. All 10 feline mesotheliomas were positive for vimentin and CK AE1/AE3, six were positive for HBME-1, two for CK5/6, three for CEA and four for E-cadherin. All were negative for desmin and calretinin. Antibodies to thrombomodulin and CD15 failed to cross-react with feline tissues. Electron microscopy, performed in four cases, revealed microvillar structures, desmosomes and intracytoplasmic lumina, confirming its value as a diagnostic tool. The study showed that mesothelial marker antibodies commonly used in human patients can be used for the diagnosis of feline mesothelioma, preferably as a panel of antibodies rather than only one.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria e Patologia Animale, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bacci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morandi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Meo
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Marcato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D022083:Cytoplasmic Structures / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010994:Pleura / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor