what’s your diagnosis? abdominal distention in a colony of congenic mice
DESCRIPTION
What’s Your Diagnosis? Abdominal Distention in a Colony of Congenic Mice Eden V. Paster, DVM ; Debra L. Hickman, DVM, MS, DACLAM VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. www.cottontimer.com/2006/08/. Microscopic Findings. Diagnostics - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
What’s Your Diagnosis? Abdominal Distention in a Colony of Congenic MiceWhat’s Your Diagnosis? Abdominal Distention in a Colony of Congenic MiceEden V. Paster, DVM; Debra L. Hickman, DVM, MS, DACLAM
VA Medical Center, Portland, OR
SignalmentSignalment
Species: Mus musculus
Age: 15 months
Strain: chromosome 9 D2.B6 [D9Mit90,18] congenic strain
Sex: 1 male and 1 female
HistoryHistory
Two mice presented for chronic abdominal distention. This particular congenic strain was originally developed to identify potential locations in the genome that influence alcohol withdrawal and consumption. Mice were SPF for common rodent viral, parasitic, and bacterial pathogens. On physical exam, the abdomen appeared distended without a fluid wave. The respiratory rate was slightly increased. Body condition score (BCS) was 3/5. The cranial abdomen palpated firm.
DiagnosticsDiagnostics
At necropsy, blood was collected for CBC and serum chemistry. The results were consistent with hepatic disease.
Test Procedure Male Female Reference Range1 Units
WBC 15.7 H 4.1 L 5.5-11.0 1000/UL
RBC 8.2 9.0 5.5-10.5 1000000/UL
HGB 7.9 12.3 12.2-16.2 G/DL
PCV 26 L 37 33-50 %
RBC morph 3+ anisocytosis, 3+polychromasia, 2+hypochromasia,
3+ target cells
3+ rouleaux
2+ anisocytosis,
2+ polychromasia
PMNs 6751 (43%) H 1189 (29%) (6.7-37.2%) /UL
Lymphocytes 8007 (51%) 2542 (62%) (30-80%) /UL
Monocytes 785 (5%) H 123 (3%) H (0.7-2.6%) /UL
Eosinphils 157 (1%) H 246 (6%) H (0.9-3.8%) /UL
AST 374 H 1495 H 10-45 IU/L
ALT 375 H 973 H 10-35 IU/L
T Bili 0.3 0.2 0.0-1.0 MG/DL
ALK PHOS 945 H 297 H 15-45 IU/L
TP 6.9 H 4.7 4.5-6.5 G/DL
ALB 2.5 2.8 G/DL
GLOB 4.4 1.9 G/DL
CHOL 100 62 50-250 MG/DL
BUN 35 H 33 H 9-30 MG/DL
CREA 0.5 0.5 0.5-2.2 MG/DL
PHOS 18.7 11.2 H 4.2-8.5 MG/DL
CALCIUM 9.9 9.3 8.0-12.0 MG/DL
GLUCOSE 10 L 104 60-125 MG/DL
AMYLASE 1576 1020 IU/L
LIPASE 152 47 IU/L
K 10.5 H 4.3-5.8 MEQ/L
Differential DiagnosesDifferential Diagnoses
Infectious
Neoplastic
Toxic or Dietary
Genetic
Developmental
Autoimmune
Gross Necropsy FindingsGross Necropsy Findings
Necropsies were performed after euthanasia.
Liver: note cystic lesions
At necropsy, the male’s spleen was double the normal size but was of normal color and consistency. His liver was markedly enlarged, pale tan, mottled, and had several small cystic lesions in the caudal lobe (Figures 1-3). Other abdominal organs appeared unremarkable. The female’s spleen and liver were normal in size but the liver was also pale tan with 1 lobulated cyst in the caudal region of the left lateral lobe. The rest of the abdomen was unremarkable.
Figure 1. Abdominal organs in situ of male mouse.
Figure 2. Dorsal view of liver from male mouse.
Figure 3. Ventral view of liver from male mouse
Figure 7: Hyperplastic dilated bile ducts with intraluminal exudates consisting predominantly of degenerative neutrophils. Periportal mononuclear infiltration consists of lymphocytes and lesser numbers of plasma cells. H&E. Bar = 40 um
Figure 4
Figure 6. Dilated bile ducts lined by low columnar epithelium are surrounded by mononuclear infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells. H&E. Bar = 40 um.
DiagnosisDiagnosis
Familial hepatic cysts, hepatitis, and cholangitis. The scant bacteria are likely a result of cystic rupture invading the GI tract.
DiscussionDiscussion
This mouse colony has developed an approximately 60% incidence of hepatic cysts. To the best of our knowledge, this is a unique manifestation in congenic strains with this background. Potential complications involving hepatic cysts include artificial variations in data due to an impaired liver’s role in alcohol metabolism, as well as expected morbidity and mortality associated with hepatic disease.
Microscopic examination revealed multiple coalescing cysts lined by flattened cuboidal and multilayered epithelium in the liver, presumably originating in the bile ducts. Some of these cysts were ruptured, resulting in inflammation and encapsulation of protein debris, inflammatory cells, and in some cases bacteria.
Reference1. Fox, JG; Anderson, LC; Loew, FM; Quimby, FW. Laboratory Animal Medicine, 2nd ed. 2002. Elsevier. San Diego. p43-44.
www.nal.usda.gov/.../v8n3/8n3mfg1.htm
www.ornl.gov/.../v37_3_04/article08.shtml
www.fotosearch.de/ARP112/mouse/
www.cottontimer.com/2006/08/
Acknowledgements1. Stephen Griffey, DVM, PhD; Comparative Medicine Laboratory, University of California, Davis, CA2. Anne Lewis, DVM, PhD, DACVP; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR
Figure 5. Low magnification of liver showing coalescing dilated bile ducts containing and surrounded by variable inflammation. H&E. Bar = 200 um
Abdominal Distention
Microscopic FindingsMicroscopic Findings
Figure 4. Low magnification of liver showing coalescing dilated cystic structures lined by low columnar epithelium. Remnant hepatic parenchyma is found between cysts. H&E.