Characterization of a PCR-based lymphocyte clonality assay as a complementary tool for the diagnosis of feline lymphoma.
Differentiation between resident mature lymphocyte populations and small cell lymphoma cannot be made by cytological review alone and remains challenging in histopathological review. These cases warrant application of complementary tools like PCR-based immunoglobulin (IG) and T-cell receptor (TCR) clonality testing for confirmation. In this prospective study, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of different primer sets for routine diagnosis of feline TCR gamma (TCRG) and complete IG heavy chain (IGH) gene rearrangements were assessed. Fine needle aspirates from 20 feline lymphoma cases and lymph node material from 10 cats without hematopoietic neoplasia were subjected to clonality testing. Feline lymphoma cell lines and previously confirmed patient material served as positive control. Detection limits for clonal populations within a polyclonal background was 90% for B-cells and 50% for T-cells. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the clonality assay were 70% and 90%. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 77%, positive predictive value 93% and negative predictive value 60%.
Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
S E
SE
Hammer
Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
S
S
Groiss
Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
A
A
Fuchs-Baumgartinger
Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
N
N
Nedorost
Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
V
V
Gress
Department for Small Animals and Horses, Clinic for Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
N
N
Luckschander-Zeller
Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
A
A
Saalmüller
Department of Pathobiology, Clinical Pathology Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
I
I
Schwendenwein
Department of Pathobiology, Clinical Pathology Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
B C
BC
Rütgen
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies
antigen receptor gene rearrangement; clonality testing; feline; lymphocytic inflammation; lymphoma