Ten Cases of Feline Mesothelioma: an Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural Study

Journal of Comparative Pathology. 2006 May;134(4):347-54. Epub 2006 May 18. [Link]

B. Bacci^a, F. Morandi^a, M. De Meo^a and P.S. Marcato^a

^aDipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria e Patologia Animale, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy

Received 7 February 2005;  accepted 7 February 2006.  Available online 18 May 2006.

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.

Keywords: cat; epithelial mesothelioma; mesothelioma; pleural mesothelioma; tumour