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Multicentric Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)

Abstract

A juvenile female loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) stranded in Gran Canaria was submitted for necropsy. The turtle had exhibited anorexia and lethargy for 2 weeks prior to its death. At necropsy, the thymus was enlarged by two white and firm nodules. White nodules similar to those in thymus were observed in the plastron, thyroid gland, heart, aorta, left lung, spleen, liver, kidneys, stomach, and small intestine. Histopathology revealed a neoplastic proliferation of round cells identified as lymphoid cells. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells were consistent with lymphoblastic cells, and viruses were not detected. The diagnosis was multicentric lymphoblastic lymphoma. This is the first report of a lymphoid neoplasm in a sea turtle.

Key words: Caretta caretta; lymphoblastic lymphoma; neoplasia; reptiles; sea turtles.

Request reprints from Dr. J. Orós, College of Veterinary Medicine, Trasmontaña s/n, 35416 Arucas, Las Palmas (Spain). E-mail: oros{at}cicei.ulpgc.es.