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Nasal and ocular amyloidosis in a 15-year-old horse.
Abstract: Localized nasal, conjunctival and corneal amyloidosis was diagnosed in a 15-year-old pony with nasal and conjunctival masses and severe dyspnoea. Multiple swellings had been evident in the nostrils for at least two years and had gradually increased in size before presentation due to dyspnoea and exercise intolerance. Surgical debulking of the masses was performed and histological examination revealed large amounts of extracellular, hyaline, eosinophilic, Congo red positive material in the lamina propria of the nasal mucosa. A tentative diagnosis of localized nasal amyloidosis was made. The treatment relieved the clinical signs, however, the nasal masses recurred and bilateral conjunctival, papillary masses developed. The horse was euthanized. Nodular nasal and papillary conjunctival masses consisting of rubbery, grey to yellow tissue were found at necropsy. At the limbus this tissue infiltrated and expanded the cornea. The masses consisted of amyloid and moderate infiltrates of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes were present in the tissue. No predominance of either cell type was observed and no distinct neoplastic mass could be identified. Ultrastructural examination of the nasal mucosa and cornea confirmed the presence of abundant extracellular deposits of non-branching fibrils ranging from 9-11 nm in diameter consistent with amyloid. Immunohistochemistry of amyloid revealed no labelling for AA amyloid, and no peptides representing serum amyloid A (SAA) were detected by microscopic laser dissection and subsequent mass spectrometry. Peptides from immunoglobulin kappa-like light chains were detected and are suggestive of AL amyloidosis, however the results were inconclusive and a final identification of the amyloid protein could not be made.Nasal amyloidosis is a clinical entity of localized amyloid deposits in the horse. Localized amyloidosis involving the conjunctiva of the horse is previously described in only seven cases and the present case is the first case of combined, localized nasal and corneal amyloidosis in the horse. In several reported cases surgical excision has provided clinical improvement and return to normal levels of exercise, while medical treatment has had no effect. The present case however, shows that rapid recurrence and progression of nasal amyloidosis to involve ocular tissues can occur and lead to recurrent respiratory obstruction.
Publication Date: 2014-08-27 PubMed ID: 25159190PubMed Central: PMC4223893DOI: 10.1186/s13028-014-0050-6Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Case Reports
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research describes a case of localized amyloidosis – an uncommon disease characterized by abnormal protein deposits – found in the nasal, conjunctival, and corneal tissues of a 15-year-old horse. This resulted in nasal and conjunctival masses and severe breathing difficulties. The researchers identified the presence of abundant amyloid deposits, suggestive of AL amyloidosis. Despite initial surgical intervention that alleviated symptoms, the masses returned, leading to recurring respiratory blocks indicating the progressive nature of this disease.
Objective of the Research
- The objective of this study was to diagnose and understand the development and progression of localized amyloidosis in the nasal and ocular regions of a 15-year-old pony.
Procedure and Findings
- A surgical procedure was carried out to relieve the pony of large nasal and conjunctival masses causing severe dyspnoea and exercise intolerance.
- Post-surgery, histological examination indicated the presence of large amounts of extracellular, eosinophilic material in the nasal mucosa indicating potential localized nasal amyloidosis.
- Despite initial relief, the nasal masses recurred and additional conjunctival masses developed, leading to the pony’s euthanasia.
- Necropsy revealed the presence of rubbery, grey to yellow tissue masses in the nasal and conjunctival regions, infiltrating and expanding the cornea.
- Microscopic examination confirmed abundant deposits of non-branching fibrils consistent with amyloid in the nasal mucosa and cornea.
- Through Immunohistochemistry, no labelling for AA amyloid, or peptides for serum amyloid A were identified, however, peptides consistent with immunoglobulin kappa-like light chains were detected, indicative of possible AL amyloidosis.
Conclusions
- The research observed a case of localized nasal and conjunctival amyloidosis in a single pony – a condition that has only been reported in seven cases before, this being the first case of combined nasal and corneal amyloidosis.
- Surgical intervention initially led to clinical improvement, however, the case exhibited a rapid recurrence and progression of the disease, resulting in the involvement of ocular tissues and recurrent respiratory obstruction.
Implications
- The research provides vital insights into the nature and progression of localized amyloidosis involving nasal and ocular regions in horses.
- It highlights the need for further research to better understand this rare condition and develop effective treatments for long-term management.
Cite This Article
APA
Østevik L, Gunnes G, de Souza GA, Wien TN, Sørby R.
(2014).
Nasal and ocular amyloidosis in a 15-year-old horse.
Acta Vet Scand, 56(1), 50.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-014-0050-6 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Basic Sciences & Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, N-0033, Norway. liv.ostevik@nmbu.no.
MeSH Terms
- Amyloidosis / diagnosis
- Amyloidosis / surgery
- Amyloidosis / veterinary
- Animals
- Eye / pathology
- Eye Diseases / diagnosis
- Eye Diseases / surgery
- Eye Diseases / veterinary
- Fatal Outcome
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Norway
- Nose / pathology
- Nose Diseases / diagnosis
- Nose Diseases / surgery
- Nose Diseases / veterinary
References
This article includes 39 references
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Genova F, Nonnis S, Maffioli E, Tedeschi G, Strillacci MG, Carisetti M, Sironi G, Cupaioli FA, Di Nanni N, Mezzelani A, Mosca E, Helps CR, Leegwater PAJ, Dorso L, Longeri M. Multi-omic analyses in Abyssinian cats with primary renal amyloid deposits. Sci Rep 2021 Apr 16;11(1):8339.
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