Lymphoma involving large granular lymphocytes in cats: 11 cases (1982-1991)
Wellman, M.L.; Hammer, A.S.; DiBartola, S.P.; Carothers, M.A.; Kociba, G.J.; Rojko, J.L.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 201(8): 1265-1269
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 1429172 Document Number: 394142
Medical records of 11 cats were reviewed. All 9 cats tested were FeLV-negative. 10 cats had a history of anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhoea, and had lymphoma involving abdominal viscera. The most common site of tumour in these cats was the jejunum. One cat had cutaneous masses caused by dermal and epidermal infiltration with neoplastic large granular lymphocytes. The most common haematological abnormality was leukocytosis, characterized by neutrophilia with a left shift (7 cats); 2 cats had a left shift without neutrophilia. None of the cats had lymphocytosis, but immature large granular lymphocytes were found in the blood of 4 cats. The most common serum biochemical abnormalities were hypoalbuminaemia (10 cats), hypocalcaemia (10 cats), hypoproteinaemia (9 cats), high aspartate transaminase activity (9 cats), and hyperbilirubinaemia (8 cats). Large granular lymphocytes were characterized by abundant cytoplasm containing distinct azurophilic granules that varies in size and number. The most common cytochemical staining pattern included detection of alpha -naphthyl butyrate esterase, acid phosphatase, and beta -glucuronidase activities. On examination of histological sections, granules stained weakly eosinophilic with Giemsa and moderately with periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Ultrastructurally, the granules appeared membrane bound and contained an electron-dense matrix in 4 cats.