B-cell multicentric lymphoma as a probable cause of abortion in a Quarter horse broodmare.

This research article presents a case study of a 5-year-old Quarter horse mare, which showed symptoms such as loss of appetite, depression, and diarrhea after aborting a 9-month fetus. The clinical investigation revealed that the cause of the health issues and abortion was a B-cell multicentric lymphoma, a type of cancer, affecting the mare’s uterus and ovary.

Clinical Presentation and Investigation

• The research article highlights a case of a Quarter horse mare, which showed symptoms of loss of appetite (inappetence), depression, and diarrhea.
• The abnormalities were observed 13 days after the horse had an abortion of a 9-month gestation fetus.
• Through a clinical examination and laboratory tests, the researchers ruled out uterine rupture and peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen) as the causes of the mare’s symptoms.

Diagnosis

• The research team used ultrasonography, a non-invasive imaging technique to examine the mare’s uterus.
• The results of ultrasonography, along with the cytological analysis of peritoneal fluid (a lubricating fluid in the abdominal cavity), hinted at a diffuse lymphoma, which is a type of cancer.

Confirmation and Analysis

• After the mare passed away, an autopsy (necropsy) was performed to confirm the initial diagnosis.
• A detailed study of the tissues (histopathological examination) during necropsy confirmed a multicentric B-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer that begins in B-cells.
• This cancer was found to involve the mare’s uterus and ovary, reinforcing the hypothesis that lymphoma was the probable cause of the mare’s health issues and the abortion.
• The results of this case study add to the medical literature on lymphoma in horses, especially in relation to reproductive failures.