Systemic AL amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma in a horse.
Abstract: AL amyloidosis is the most common type of systemic amyloidosis in humans, and it is frequently associated with multiple myeloma. But, AL amyloidosis is very rare in domestic animals. A 16-year-old Quarter horse gelding was diagnosed with systemic AL amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma. Clinical problems were rapid weight loss, muscle atrophy, soft unformed stool, and ventral edema. Grossly, diffuse gastrointestinal hemorrhage, markedly thickened jejunal mucosa, and splenomegaly were present. Microscopically, diffuse severe amyloid deposits were present in the lamina propria of glandular stomach, duodenum, and jejunum. Much of the spleen and sternal bone marrow was replaced by neoplastic round cells, and multiple foci of amyloid were also present in the spleen and bone marrow. Electron microscopy revealed the neoplastic round cells to be of plasma cell origin, and the amyloid showed a strongly positive immunoreactivity with polyclonal anti-human immunoglobin lambda light-chain antisera. To our knowledge, this is the second report describing systemic AL amyloidosis in domestic animals-associated plasma cell neoplasia and the first associated with multiple myeloma, as is common in humans.
Publication Date: 2005-01-20 PubMed ID: 15657277DOI: 10.1354/vp.42-1-81Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research chronicles the study of a 16-year-old horse diagnosed with systemic AL amyloidosis (a rare disease in animals but common in humans) associated with multiple myeloma. This is the first reported case of such a combination in domestic animals.
About the Research
- The paper talks about a particular case of a 16-year-old Quarter horse, diagnosed with systemic AL amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma, a disease abnormality quite frequent in humans, but quite rare in domestic animals.
- The medical conditions observed in the horse included rapid weight loss, muscle atrophy, soft unformed stool, and ventral edema, which prompted the researchers to investigate further.
Findings and Observations
- A thorough examination revealed diffuse gastrointestinal hemorrhage, markedly thickened jejunal mucosa, and splenomegaly. Diffuse severe amyloid deposits were found in the lamina propria of the glandular stomach, duodenum, and jejunum.
- Most of the spleen and sternal bone marrow were replaced by neoplastic round cells, with multiple foci of amyloid also present.
- Upon closer investigation through electron microscopy, the neoplastic round cells were determined to be of plasma cell origin, indicative of the presence of multiple myeloma.
- The amyloid displayed strong positive immunoreactivity with polyclonal anti-human immunoglobin lambda light-chain antisera. This affirms the diagnosis of AL amyloidosis, as this deposition is characteristic of the disease.
Significance of the Research
- This case study is significant and of particular interest as this is the second report describing systemic AL amyloidosis in domestic animals-associated plasma cell neoplasia.
- Furthermore, it is the first to be associated with multiple myeloma, similar to cases commonly observed in humans.
- This could pave the way for further exploratory studies on the incidence and treatment of such complex pathologies in domestic animals, improving their quality of life and expanding our understanding of these diseases.
Cite This Article
APA
Kim DY, Taylor HW, Eades SC, Cho DY.
(2005).
Systemic AL amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma in a horse.
Vet Pathol, 42(1), 81-84.
https://doi.org/10.1354/vp.42-1-81 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, PO Box 6023, Columbia, MO 65205, USA. kimdy@missouri.edu
MeSH Terms
- Amyloidosis / complications
- Amyloidosis / pathology
- Amyloidosis / veterinary
- Animals
- Bone Marrow / pathology
- Fatal Outcome
- Histocytochemistry / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Jejunum / pathology
- Male
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / veterinary
- Multiple Myeloma / complications
- Multiple Myeloma / pathology
- Multiple Myeloma / veterinary
- Spleen / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Drozdzewska K, Gehlen H. Markers for internal neoplasia in the horse. Vet Med Sci 2023 Jan;9(1):132-143.
- Tajima Y, Maeda K, Yamada TK. Pathological findings and probable causes of the death of Stejneger's beaked whales (Mesoplodon stejnegeri) stranded in Japan from 1999 and 2011. J Vet Med Sci 2015 Jan;77(1):45-51.
- Østevik L, Gunnes G, de Souza GA, Wien TN, Sørby R. Nasal and ocular amyloidosis in a 15-year-old horse. Acta Vet Scand 2014 Aug 27;56(1):50.
- Muñoz A, Riber C, Trigo P, Castejón F. Hematopoietic neoplasias in horses: myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders. J Equine Sci 2009;20(4):59-72.
- Woldemeskel M. A concise review of amyloidosis in animals. Vet Med Int 2012;2012:427296.
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