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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1-2
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-6-30
pubmed:abstractText
Spirocerca lupi is a nematode infesting the canine oesophagus, where it induces the formation of a nodule that may transform into a malignant sarcoma. The current, retrospective study compared the clinical presentation, haematology, serum albumin and globulin and radiology of benign cases (n=31) and malignant cases (n=31) of spirocercosis. Dogs with spirocercosis-induced sarcoma were significantly older (6.4+/-1.91 years) than benign cases (4.93+/-2.87). In the malignant cases there were significantly (p=0.03) more sterilized females (10/31) and fewer intact males (4/31) compared to 2/31 and 13/31, respectively, in the benign cases. Hypertrophic osteopathy was observed in 38.7% of malignant cases and in none of the benign cases (p=0.0002). Common clinical signs included weight loss, regurgitation, anorexia, pyrexia (T>or=39.5 degrees ), respiratory complications and salivation but did not differ in prevalence between groups. On haematology, the malignant group had significantly (p<0.05) lower haematocrit (0.34+/-0.08 vs. 0.41+/-0.07) and higher white cell count (31.6+/-27.83 vs. 17.71+/-13.18 x 10(3)microl(-1)), mature neutrophil count (26.06+/-26.08 vs. 12.23+/-9.96 x 10(3)microl(-1)) and thrombocyte count (493.15+/-151.61 vs. 313.27+/-128.54 x 10(9)microl(-1)). There were no differences in the mean corpuscular volume and immature neutrophil count. On radiology, the mass length was not significantly different, but the height and the width of the malignant masses were significantly larger (62.59+/-15.15 mm and 73.93+/-20.94 mm) compared to the benign group (46.43+/-23.62 and 49.29+/-25.56, respectively). Spondylitis was more prevalent in the malignant group (67.86% vs. 38.46%, p=0.03). Examining secondary pulmonary changes revealed significantly higher prevalence of bronchial displacement in the malignant group (52% vs. 17%, p=0.008). Hypertrophic osteopathy appeared to be a very specific but relatively rare (poor sensitivity) marker of malignancy. Female gender, anaemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, spondylitis and bronchial displacement are significantly more common in malignant cases, but appear in benign cases as well. However, if found together in a specific case, they should increase the index of suspicion for malignancy in a diagnosed spirocercosis case.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
0304-4017
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
1
pubmed:volume
155
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
80-8
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Clinical differentiation between dogs with benign and malignant spirocercosis.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa. eran.dvir@up.ac.za
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article