Pathology Flashcards
What are the different portals of entry for pathogens?
1) Ascending infection (most common): (through cervix)
2) Haematogenous infection
3) Descending from ovary- Rare
4) Transneural infection- Rare recrudence of herpes virus
Describe ascending infection?
Portal of entry for pathogens through the cervix. Occurs at oestrus, postpartum infections, equine placenta during pregnancy.
Describe innate immunity in the reproductive tract
Sterile environment for the foetus but allowing entry of semen (antigenic).
Physical barriers e.g. cervix, positioning
Neutrophils, macrophages, complement, cytokines
Descrinbe adaptive immunity in the repro tract.
Response to pathogens but tolerate spermatozoa and foetus.
Humoral immunity e.g. local and systemic antibodies
Cellular immunity e.g. T Lo
What is the role of oestrogen in immunity?
Pro-inflammatory. Upregulates T and B Lo
When is the utuerus most suspeptible to infection?
During progestational or luteal phase including pregnancy.
What does inflammation with epithelial and mucosal surface loss in the uterus lead to?
Decreased PGF2a production –> no lysis of CL –> maintenance of P4 –> increase susceptibility to infection
What are the different types of ovarian disease?
Developmental Cysts Inflammation (oophoritis) Miscellaneous Neoplasia
Which cysts are more clinically significant, periovarian or intraovarian?
Intraovarian, can result in failure of ovulation.
Describe follicular cysts/ cystic ovarian follicles
Failure of mature follicle to ovulate.
>2.5cm (cow); >1cm (sow)
Persistence for >10 days (with or without functional CL)
Why do follicular cysts develop?
Abnormality in hypothalamo-hypophyseal-ovarian axis that causes deficiency of LH or of LH receptor in ovary.
What is the main consequence of follicular cysts?
Failure of ovulation.
What is anovulatory luteinised cysts (luteal cyst)?
Develop from follicular cysts by delayed or insuffiencent release of LH
Part of COD- cystic ovarian degeneration
Occurs in cows and sows more often than in other species
Luteinized cells line the cystic cavity .
What is a cystic corpora lutea?
Corpus luteum with a cystic centre.
Ovulation papilla on surface
If ovulation affected with cystic corpora lutea?
No, a normal ovulation occurs but a large cystic centre develops
Does a cystic corpora lutea affect fertility?
No infertility
What are the different types of ovarian neoplasms that occur?
- Germ cell neoplasm
- Gonadal stromal neoplasma
- Epithelial neoplasm
- Secondary tumours
Gives examples of germ cell neoplasms in the ovary
Dysgerminoma
Teratoma
Give examples of gonadal stromal neoplasms in the ovary
Granulosa cell tumour
Thecoma
Luteoma
Give examples of epithelial neoplasms in the ovary
Cystadenoma
Cystadenocarcinoma
Give examples of secondary tumours seen in the ovary
Lymphomas
Mammary carcinomas bitch
Intestinal carcinomas cow
Describe teratoma
Rare
Totipotential germ cells
solid and cystic areas can include bone, hair, cartilage, fat and nervous tissue
Mostly behign and well differentiated
Malignant teratomas are very rare, poorly differentiated
Describe granulosa theca cell tumours
Some produce steroids (androgen/ oestrogen/ inhibin)
smooth surface with solid or cystic cut surface
Mare, cow unilateral and benign (sometimes malignant in the bitch and often malignant in the queen)
Describe the appearance of granulosa theca cell tumour
External smooth surface
Red brown content within cystic area
Histologically resemble follicles with an eosinophllic material in the centre
Describe the malignant forms of epithelial neoplams
Often bilateral, multifocal and shaggy surface.
Transcoelomic spread possible (lateral extension and seeding on peritoneal surfaces).
May result in ascites- due to obstruction of lymphatics by the tumour.
What are the different types of uterine disease?
- Inflammation
- Non-inflammatory disorders
- Neoplasia
List some of the inflammatory uterine diseases
Endometritis, metritis, pyometra
List some of the non-inflammatory disorders of uterus
Torsion, rupture, prolapse, subinvolution of placental sites, pseudopregnancy, endometrial atrophy, endometrial polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, adenomyosis, mucometra
List some of the neoplasias of the uterus
Uterine leiomyoma, endometrial carcinoma, lymphoma
What is pyometra?
Bacterial infection of the endometrium.
Infections is independent of or supervening upon cystic endometrial hyperplasia.
What is more at risk of developing pyometra?
Older, entire nulliparous bitches
When does pyometra tend to occur?
Usually a few weeks (mostly 3-8) after oestrus under progesterone exposure (luteal phase)
What species commonly cause pyometra?
E.coli - typically more red/brown discharge with a fetid odor, tends to be associated with more severe infections.
Strep sp. - typically associated with a more purulent- yellow/green discharge
How can pyometra be life threatening
Causes toxaemia and bacteraemia
When does pyometra occur in the cow?
Mostly early postpartum (following endometritis/ metritis) or at various times after breeding (venereal infections)
Describe the endocrinology of the cow uterus predisposing to pyometra.
A persistent CL and high progesterone levels increase the susceptibility to the uterus to infection, get functional closure of the cervic and inhibition of myometrial contractions
What is different between a pyometra in a bitch and in a cow
In a cow rarely get systemic signs
Where is endometritis limited to?
Uterine mucosa (endometrium)
When does endometritis occur?
Post mating (seminal fluid) or post partum
What is the consequence of severe cases
Can become chronic and fibrous
What species does uterine adenocarcinoma occur most commonly in?
Cow- has to be considered EBL suspect and notified - uterus one of tetrad of affected organs.
Most common spontaneous tumour in rabbits
Whar pattern do have with uterine adenocarcinoma?
Glandular
What is the gross morphological appearance of uterine adenocarcinomas?
On gross examination, the tumors are nodular, can be multicentric masses that often involve both uterine horns.
On the cut surface, masses are firm, red to cream and may have paler areas of central necrosis.
Where do uterine adenocarcinomas metastasise to?
Regional LNs, lungs and seeding in peritoneum
What are the vagina/ vulval disorders?
- Vulvar swelling (tumefaction)
- Inflammation
- Neoplasia
Why does tumefaction occur?
Exposure to endogenous or exogenous oestrogen (ovarian cysts, estrogen producing tumours, mycotoxins)
What are some examples of inflammatory conditions of the vaginal/vulva
Granular vulvitis, infectious pustular vulvovaginitis of cattle (IPV), necrotic vaginitis and vulvitis, dourine
What are some examples of neoplasia of the vagina/vulva
Leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma Squamous cell carcinoma Canine transmisible venereal tumour Fibropapilloma of the vulva Transmissible genital papilloma of the pig
Describe the aetiology of canine transmissible venereal tumour
TVT cells have 59 chromosomes instead of normal 78 in dogs
Rare in the UK
What is the transmission of canine TVT?
Transfer of neoplastic cells during coitus (xenotransplantation)
What is the histological appearance of TVT?
Large, round neoplastic cells with occasional large bizarre nuclei
What is the treatment of TVT?
Vincristine
When does metastases of TVT occur?
In dogs with poor health
What do fibropapilloma look like macroscopically?
Single or multiple warty massess that have a papillary epithelial covering and a fibrous core
Surface ulceration is oftenn extensive.
What virus is responsible for fibropapillomas?
BPV-1
What species do squamous cell carcinomas of the vagina/vulva/penis occur in?
Stallions and geldings
What virus is SCC associated with?
EPV-2
What is the macroscopical appearance of SCC?
Frequent ulceration and is irregular
What is the behaviour of SCC of the vagina/penis?
Low grade malignancy but locally infiltrative
What is the histological appearance of SCC?
Keratin pearl formation – typical histological feature, flattened and keratinised cells
What are the different levels at which sex can be defined at?
Genetic/ Chromosomal (xx/ xy) - sex chromosome type is established at conception
Gonadal (testis/ ovary) - established early indevelopment
Phenotypic - type and arrangement of tubular genitalia and external genitalia established after the gonadal type is set
Why do disorders of sexual development occur?
genetic/ chromosomal abnormalities or inappropriate hormone exposure during development.
What are the 3 main categories of DSDs
- An abnormal or missing sex chromosome
- A normal female karyotype
- A normal male karyotype
Describe sex chromosome DSD
Abnormal number and/or mixture of sex chromosomes, including XXY (Klinefelter syndrome), X_ (Turner syndrome), and XX/XY (chimerism).
Describe XY DSD
disorders oftesticulardevelopment,disorders of androgen synthesis or action.
Describe XX DSD
disorders ofovariandevelopment, androgen excess, or miscellaneousdisorders
(Note: SRY (sex-determining region Y protein) status)
What sex chromosomes and species does Fremartinism affect?
XX/XY chimeras (in twinning)
Bovine, ovine
What sex chromosomes and species does XX sex reversal affect?
XX - male differentiating genes on the X chromosome
Dogs (American cocker spaniels)
XX- associated with poll gene in goats
What sex chromosomes and species does segmental aplasia affect?
XX and all species
Failure of segments of the paramesonephric ducts to develop
What is hermaphroditism?
Ambiguous genitalia, with part or all of the genital organs of both sexes present.
What is a true hermaphrodite?
Presence of both male and female gonadal tissue
What is a pseudohermaphrodite?
Presence of only a single type of gonadal tissue
What is a male pseudohermaphrodite?
Female with testes
What is a female pseudohermaphrodite
Male with ovaries
What are the different types of diseases of the scrotum?
Dermatitis (Common)
Neoplasia
What are the different causes of dermatitis of the scrotum?
Trauma Frost bite Environmental irritants (e.g. cement dust) Dermatophilus congolensis, Besnoitia besnoiti (bull) Choriotes bovis (ram)
What does dermatitis of the scrotum lead to?
Thermoregulatory failure
Testicular degeneration
What are the different types of neoplasia of the scrotum?
Mast cell tumours (dog)
Haemangiosarcoma (dog)
Papilloma (boar)
What conditions can you get assocaited with the tunica vaginalis?
Hydrocoele in ascites
Periorchitis e.g. FIP (peritonitis), Glasser’s
Tumours (extension peritoneal tumour) very rare
What different types of conditions can you get in the testis and epididymis?
Developmental anomalies
Degeneration
Inflammation
Neoplasia
What is cryptorchidism?
Small testies, incomplete descent of the testis
Where is the testis retained in cryptorchidism
Between kidney and inguinal canal
What are the consequences of cryptochidisim?
Increased risk of tumour formation
When does testicular hypoplasia occur?
Pre-puberty, can also be congenital but often not observed until after puberty
What is the aetiology of testicular hypoplasia?
Nutrition, Zn def, genetic, endocrine abnormalities
What species does testicular hypoplasia occur in?
Mostly cattle, sheep, goat
What is the microscopic appearance of testicular hypoplasia?
Absent/ incomplete spermatogenesis with hypoplastic and normal tubules often intermingled
When does testicular atrophy/ degeneration occur?
After puberty
What is the importance of testicular atrophy?
Common cause for male infertility
What are the causes of testicular atrophy?
infections, ↑scrotal temperature, ↓testicular blood supply, vitamin A/ Zn deficiency, drug reactions, radiation damage, obstruction, hyperoestrogenism
How can you distinguish between testicular atrophy and testicular hypoplasia?
In atrophy they are firmer due to fibrosis (as a more chronic condition)
What are the microscopic features of testicular atrophy?
similar to hypoplasia, (+/- fibrosis- firmer, multinucleated spermatids ) Cannot see much spermatogenesis, wavy basement membranes in tubules due to shrinkage (did once have normal size)
What species is epididymitis important in?
Rams (Brucella ovis- notifiable) and dogs
What part of the epididymis is most commonly affected with epididymitis?
Tail
What can occur as a consequence of epididymitis?
Can cause secondary testicular degeneration/ atrophy
What is the aetiology of epididymitis?
Mostly ascending infection (accessory glands, urinary tract) Rarer haematogenous (e.g. Brucella spp) or trauma
What sort of condition is spermatic granuloma of the epididymal head?
Congenital
What is the pathogenesis of spermatic granuloma of the epididymal head?
Abnormal blind ending efferent ductules- fill with spermatozoa, spermeatstais occurs, speramtocels and then spermatic granulomas.
What are the three main primary types of testicular neoplasia?
- Interstitial (Leydig) cell tumour
- Sertoli cell tumour.
- Seminoma (germ cell tumour; also teratoma)
What species does testicular neoplasia occur most commonly in?
Dogs, less frequent in horses
What is the behaviour of most testicular neoplasias
Almost always benign
What cell is a seminoma dervied from?
Spermatogonia
What are the clinical signs of a seminoma?
Swelling and pain
What is the gross appearance of a seminoma?
Cream bulging mass- looks like lymphoid tissue
What are the microscopic features of a seminoma?
sheets of polyhedral cells with a large nucleus and a thin rim of cytoplasm
Mitoses are frequent
What is seminomas most prevalent in?
Retained testes
How common is the sertoli cell tumour in the dog?
3rd most common testicular tumour in dogs. 50% occur in retained testes
What is the gross appearance of sertoli cell tumour?
Firm, white, lobulated mass, enlarged testicl. Colour: varies white to brown, often fibrous and may contain cysts.
What are the microscopic features of a sertoli cell tumour?
Sertoli cells multilayered in tubules or invading interstitial tissue. Abundant fibrous tissue
What is the endocrinology affects of sertoli cell tumour
Around 1/3 secrete oestrogen (and/ or inhibin) and cause feminisation of the affected dog (hyperoestrogenism).
What is a potential life-threatening effect of hyperoestrogenism?
myelotoxicity, resulting in a poorly regenerative anaemia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia.
What is the most common testicular tumour in the dog, cat and bull?
Interstitial (leydig) cell tumour
What is the gross appearance of a leydig cell tumour?
single or multiple spherical, tan to orange or haemorrhagic masses (bulging on cut surface)
No enlargement of the testis
What are the microscopic features of leydig cell tumour?
polyhedral cells packed in small groups by fine fibrous vascular stroma
What endocrinologic changes occur with leydig cell tumour?
Some produce hormones and cause aggression.
What species does prostatic disease affect most?
Dog
What are the different types of prostatic disease?
Hyperplasia> Inflammation (prostatitis) > Neoplasia
Other: cysts, squamous metaplasia
Associated with hyperoestrogenosism
What kind of dogs does hyperplasia of the prostate occur in?
Old entire dogs
What are the consequences of hyperplasia of the prostate
Can cause constipation/ urinary stasis
What are the gross appearances of hyperplasia of the prostate
bilaterally and symmetrically larger
What are the microscopic features of hyperplasia of teh prostate
hyperplasia and papillary proliferation of the glandular tissue; stromal hyperplasia
What is prostatitis often found together with in older dogs?
Hyperplasia
What are the gross appearances of prostatis?
Asymmetrical enlargement, may contain abscesses
What can untreated cases of prostatis develop into?
Peritonitis or septicaemia/ toxaemia
Does castration have an effect on prevention/ treatment of prostatic carcinoma?
No
What are the gross appearances of prostatic carcinoma?
Asymmetrical mild enlargment
What are the microscopic features of prostatic carcinoma?
Haphazardly arranged glandular cells invading interstitium and marked fibrosis
Where do prostatic carcinomas metastasise to?
LN, lung, bone
What are the clinical signs of prostatic carcinoma?
Constiation, urinary stasis, cachexia and locomotor abnormlaities
What changes to the epithelium occur with metaplasia of the prostate?
Normal glandular epithelium becomes stratified squamous
What hormone is metaplasia of prostate dependent on
Oestrogen
What causes hyperoestrogenism?
dog with Sertoli cell tumour, oestrogenic implants/ ingestion of phytoestrogens (e.g. red clover) in cattle / sheep)
What does metaplasia of prostate predispose to?
Inflammation
What are the different types of pathology to the penis and prepuce?
Non - infectious
Infectious
Neoplasia
List some infectious agents affecting the penis and prepuce
Venereal infections (e.g. Tritrichomonas foetus, Campylobacter foetus ssp venerealis)
Herpesviruses (e.g. Equine Coital Exanthema (EHV-3), Infectious Balanoposthitis (BHV-1))
“Pizzle rot” (ulcerative posthitis sheep – Corynebacterium renale)
Habronemiasis horse
What is phimosis
Inability to extrude the penis
What is paraphimosis?
Inability to retract the penis into the prepuce
Whaat is Priapism
Persistent erection
What is phallitis
inflammation of the penis
What is balanitis
Inflammation of the head (glans) of the penis
What is posthitis
Inflammation of the prepuce
What is a spermatocele
Retention cyst of a tubule of the rete testis or the head of the epididymis distended with spermatozoa containing fluid
