Bilateral malignant seminoma with metastases in the mule: a report of two cases

We report two cases of bilateral malignant seminoma in the bursula testium of two mules, which had been slaughtered normally. Histologically, the testicular tumours consisted predominantly of large round to polyhedral cells with frequent mitotic figures. Metastases were found in the sublumbar lymph nodes. A final histopathological diagnosis of malignant seminoma with metastasis was made. To our knowledge, this paper appears to be the first report of two cases of bilateral malignant seminoma with metastases, in the mule.

Primary pleomorphic liposarcoma of the liver in a dog

A rare case of primary pleomorphic liposarcoma of the liver in an 8-year-old female German shepherd dog is described. The liver tumour, measuring 10x12x5 cm, was located in the right hepatic lobe. The diagnosis of pleomorphic liposarcoma was based on the morphological and immunohistochemical features of the tumour cells. To our knowledge, this is the second case of primary liposarcoma of the liver in the dog found in the veterinary literature.

Bilateral testicular Leydig cells tumour in a donkey

A rare case of a bilateral Leydig cells tumour located in the testis of a 15-year-old donkey slaughtered normally is presented. Histologically, the testicular tumour showed neoplastic Leydig cells arranged in solid growth as a pseudoadenomatous packet type. To our knowledge, this is the first bilateral Leydig cells tumour, a neoplasm never reported in the donkey.

Glomangioma in the Prepuce of a Dog

A case of preputial glomangioma in an 8-year-old Springer Spaniel dog is reported. The dog presented a solitary nodular mass, approximately 3.5 x 5.2 cm in diameter, located on the lateral wall of the prepuce at the base of the penis. Histologically, the excised tumour mass consisted of proliferating round epithelioid cells arranged in a cordon-like structure around small blood vessels. The neoplastic cells were positive for alpha smooth muscle actin and negative for cytokeratin, desmin, S-100 protein and neurone-specific enolase. Based on these pathologic features, the tumour was diagnosed as glomangioma, a neoplasm extremely rare in dogs. To our knowledge, this is the first report of preputial glomangioma in the dog.

Benign fibrous histiocytoma of prepuce in the mule

Here we present a case of preputial benign fibrous histiocytoma in a 7-year-old mule. This case was treated surgically. Pathologic analysis and diagnosis of these lesions were based on a combination of light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Histologically, the tumour was composed primarily of a storiform pattern of fibroblastic and poligonal cells. In immunohistochemistry, except for consistent immunoreactivity for vimentin, nearly all tumour cells were positive for CD68, S-100 protein, pan-cytokeratin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and desmin. Benign fibrous histiocytoma of the prepuce in mule is rarely reported in veterinary literature.

Reinke's crystals in an interstitial cell tumour of a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

One case of interstitial cell tumour in the testicle of a New Zealand White rabbit was reported. The rabbit was 9-years old and had monolateral testicular lesion. There was enlargement of left testis and the lesion were seen on the cut surface. Light microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic crystals of Reinke that resembled to the features observed for this tumour in human. Immunohistochemically, this tumour was positive for vimentin.

Survey of the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in dairy products marketed in Italy: second year of observation

During 1996, 161 samples of milk, 92 samples of dry milk for infant formula and 120 samples of yoghurt, were randomly collected in supermarkets and drug stores in four big Italian cities, and checked for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) by immunoaffinity column extraction and HPLC. AFM1 was detected in 125 (78%) of milk samples (ranging from < 1 ng/l to 23.5 ng/l; mean level: 6.28 ng/l), in 49 (53%) of dry milk samples (ranging from <1 ng/l to 79.6 ng/kg; mean level: 32.2 ng/kg) and in 73 (61%) of yoghurt samples (ranging from <1 ng/kg to 32.1 ng/kg; mean level: 9.06 ng/kg). Altogether, only four samples of dry milk were over the legal limits established by the EC in 1999. It is concluded that during 1996, despite the widespread occurrence of AFM1, mean contamination levels in dairy products sold in Italy were not a serious human health hazard.

Survey of the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in dairy products marketed in Italy

During 1995, 159 samples of milk, 97 samples of dry milk for infant formula, and 114 samples of yogurt were randomly collected in supermarkets and drug stores in four large Italian cities and checked for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) by immunoaffinity column extraction and HPLC. AFM1 was detected in 136 (86%) of the milk samples (in amounts ranging from < 1 ng/liter to 108.5 ng/liter; mean level: 10.19 ng/liter), in 81 (84%) of the dry milk samples (in amounts ranging from < 1 ng/liter to 101.3 ng/kg; mean level: 21.77 ng/kg), and in 91 (80%) of the yogurt samples (in amounts ranging from < 1 ng/liter to 496.5 ng/liter; mean level: 18.08 ng/liter). Altogether, only two samples of milk, two samples of yogurt, and one sample of dry milk had levels of AFM1 exceeding the Swiss legal limits, which are the most restrictive in the world. AFM1 contamination levels in milk and yogurt samples collected in the period of November to April were ca. four times as high as those in samples collected in the period of May to October. It is concluded that during 1995, despite the widespread occurrence of AFM1, the mean contamination levels in dairy products sold in Italy were not a serious human health hazard.