Acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia in a 5-month-old boar

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A 5-month-old mixed-breed boar presented with lethargy, weakness and anorexia of 1 week's duration.

CLINICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: The boar had an elevated heart rate, slow capillary refill time and cyanotic skin over the ears; it was also severely anaemic. A necropsy revealed scattered petechial haemorrhages, small subcapsular white nodules on the kidneys, a nodule in the parenchyma of one testis, creamy-white bone marrow, a preputial diverticulum, and an ulcer of the pars oesophagea of the stomach. Cytology of peripheral blood and bone marrow identified large numbers of lymphoblasts, which were demonstrated using immunocytochemistry to be of B-cell origin. Histological examination of multiple organs also showed lymphoblastic infiltration.

DIAGNOSIS: B-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia with secondary infiltration of lymphoid organs, kidneys, testis and preputial skin.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first known reported case of acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia in swine.

KEY WORDS:

• Swine
• B-cell
• leukaemia
• lymphoblastic
• porcine

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to David Lawton for submitting the case; Pat Davey, Evelyn Lupton and Mary Gaddam for the histological sections; New Zealand Veterinary Pathology Ltd for assistance with the post-mortem examination and procedures; and Mike Hogan for technical assistance.