Retrospective review of neoplasms of captive lizards in the United Kingdom.
Lizard
neoplasia
pathology
squamate
Journal
The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
Titre abrégé: Vet Rec
Pays: England
ID NLM: 0031164
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
04 01 2020
04 01 2020
Historique:
received:
11
12
2018
revised:
10
06
2019
accepted:
01
09
2019
pubmed:
27
9
2019
medline:
20
9
2020
entrez:
27
9
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Neoplasia has historically been regarded as an unusual occurrence in reptiles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of neoplasms in routine diagnostic samples submitted to a specialist exotic animal laboratory. Over a 10-year period, 690 lizard samples were submitted for histopathological or cytopathological examination by Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons specialists in Veterinary Pathology (Zoo and Wildlife). Records were reviewed retrospectively and non-neoplastic diagnoses excluded from further analysis. 158 neoplasms were diagnosed in 149 lizards, with 22.9% of submissions resulting in a diagnosis of neoplasia. The skin was the most commonly affected organ, and squamous cell carcinomas were the most common neoplasms identified (17.7% of all neoplastic diagnoses).Bearded dragons and panther chameleons had a statistically significant higher proportion of neoplasia diagnosis than the lizard population as a whole, and geckos had a statistically significantly lower proportion.Several neoplasms identified in this study have not been previously reported in lizards, including a testicular Sertoli cell tumour, testicular granulosa cell tumour, splenic haemangiosarcoma, gastric adenocarcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. The results suggest that the prevalence of neoplasia in captive lizards may be higher than previously reported, and that there is variation in prevalence between different lizard species and families. It is unclear whether these differences relate to genetic or management factors.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Neoplasia has historically been regarded as an unusual occurrence in reptiles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of neoplasms in routine diagnostic samples submitted to a specialist exotic animal laboratory.
METHODS
Over a 10-year period, 690 lizard samples were submitted for histopathological or cytopathological examination by Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons specialists in Veterinary Pathology (Zoo and Wildlife). Records were reviewed retrospectively and non-neoplastic diagnoses excluded from further analysis.
RESULTS
158 neoplasms were diagnosed in 149 lizards, with 22.9% of submissions resulting in a diagnosis of neoplasia. The skin was the most commonly affected organ, and squamous cell carcinomas were the most common neoplasms identified (17.7% of all neoplastic diagnoses).Bearded dragons and panther chameleons had a statistically significant higher proportion of neoplasia diagnosis than the lizard population as a whole, and geckos had a statistically significantly lower proportion.Several neoplasms identified in this study have not been previously reported in lizards, including a testicular Sertoli cell tumour, testicular granulosa cell tumour, splenic haemangiosarcoma, gastric adenocarcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that the prevalence of neoplasia in captive lizards may be higher than previously reported, and that there is variation in prevalence between different lizard species and families. It is unclear whether these differences relate to genetic or management factors.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31554709
pii: vr.105308
doi: 10.1136/vr.105308
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
28Informations de copyright
© British Veterinary Association 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Competing interests: None declared.