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Histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic characterization of a malignant iridophoroma in a dwarf bearded dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni)

de Brot, Simone; Sydler, Titus; Nufer, Lisbeth; Ruetten, Maja

Authors

Simone de Brot

Titus Sydler

Lisbeth Nufer

Maja Ruetten



Abstract

A dwarf bearded dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni) was presented with a whitish subcutaneous mandibular mass and multiple nodules in the oral mucosa, heart, liver, kidney, intestine and visceral fat. Histologically, the tumor consisted of densely packed spindle-shaped cells with brownish intracytoplasmic pigment that exhibited white-bluish birefringence with polarized light. Immunohistochemical staining was negative for S-100 and weakly positive with Melan A. Negative contrast electron microscopic examination revealed cytoplasmic irregular, oblong empty spaces, laminated and often arranged into short stacks, compatible with reflecting platelet profiles typically seen in iridophores. However, in unstained ultrathin sections, electron dense crystalline material was present which filled the empty spaces described for stained sections before. Based on histology, immunohistochemistry and biological behavior, a malignant iridophoroma was diagnosed. To the authors’ knowledge, iridophoromas in lizards have not been characterized before by using electronic microscopy. Moreover, this is the first description of an iridophoroma in a dwarf bearded dragon.

Citation

de Brot, S., Sydler, T., Nufer, L., & Ruetten, M. (2015). Histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic characterization of a malignant iridophoroma in a dwarf bearded dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 46(3), https://doi.org/10.1638/2013-0113.1

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 1, 2015
Publication Date Sep 1, 2015
Deposit Date Feb 24, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Print ISSN 1042-7260
Electronic ISSN 1937-2825
Publisher American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 46
Issue 3
DOI https://doi.org/10.1638/2013-0113.1
Keywords Chromatophoroma, Dwarf bearded dragon, Electron microscopy, Iridophoroma, Pogona henrylawsoni
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/758212
Publisher URL http://www.bioone.org/doi/10.1638/2013-0113.1