Multicentric lymphoma in a donkey with intestinal and bone marrow involvement.
Authors: Paraschou Georgios, Xue Cynthia, Egan Rebecca, Bolfa Pompei
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Whilst lymphoma ranks amongst the most prevalent neoplasms in horses, it remains remarkably rare in donkeys—a disparity that remains poorly understood. This case report documents the first confirmed multicentric T-cell lymphoma in a donkey, identified post-mortem in a geriatric female with chronic lameness, characterised by extensive intestinal transmural masses (up to 12 cm) and neoplastic infiltration of the left femur with marked bony enlargement; immunohistochemical analysis confirmed CD3+ T-cell phenotype across both sites. The clinical presentation mimicked non-malignant conditions common in aged donkeys, underscoring the diagnostic challenge posed by lymphoma's rarity in this species and suggesting that intestinal masses coupled with unexplained lameness warrant consideration of neoplastic disease even when it remains statistically unlikely. The authors advocate for expanded research into the genetic and biological factors that may confer protective effects against lymphoma development in donkeys compared to their equine counterparts, as such investigation could yield insights applicable to cancer aetiology across species. For practitioners, this case serves as a reminder that whilst lymphoma should remain low on the differential diagnosis list for donkeys, its multicentric presentation and non-specific signs merit inclusion in post-mortem evaluations and advanced diagnostic workup of geriatric animals with progressive, multi-system clinical signs.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Multicentric lymphoma should be included in differential diagnoses for geriatric donkeys with chronic lameness, laminitis, and systemic signs of disease, even though it is rare in this species
- •Post-mortem examination with histopathology and immunohistochemistry is necessary to definitively diagnose lymphoma and characterize T-cell versus B-cell phenotype
- •Further research is needed to understand why donkeys appear naturally resistant to lymphoma development compared to horses, which may have implications for preventive strategies
Key Findings
- •First reported case of multicentric lymphoma in a donkey with CD3+ T-cell phenotype
- •Lymphoma involved intestine (transmural masses up to 12 cm) and left femur with bone marrow replacement
- •Affected donkey presented with chronic lameness history, laminitis, emaciation, and periodontal disease
- •Lymphoma is significantly less common in donkeys compared to horses despite similar potential for neoplastic disease