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Histology and Immunohistochemistry of Seven Ferret Vaccination-site Fibrosarcomas

Athens Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

The anatomical location, histology, and immunohistochemistry of 10 ferret dermal and subcutaneous fibrosarcomas were examined. Seven of the 10 tumors were from locations used for vaccination. All fibrosarcomas contained spindle-shaped cells surrounded by variable quantities of connective tissue stroma. However, vaccination-site fibrosarcomas (VSFs) subjectively contained a higher degree of cellular pleomorphism. Multinucleated cells were present in three of seven VSFs but not in any of the nonvaccination-site fibrosarcomas (NVSFs). Large histiocytic cells, interpreted as macrophages, containing intracytoplasmic basophilic granular material were observed in two VSFs but not in any of the NVSFs. Five VSFs contained peripheral lymphoplasmacytic aggregates. Immunohistochemically, three VSFs stained with anti–smooth muscle actin antibodies and one stained with antibodies against desmin. No expression of muscle cytoskeletal filaments was observed in any NVSF. Filaments interpreted as actin were visible in both the VSFs examined ultrastructurally. One of the VSFs examined ultrastructurally contained intracytoplasmic crystalline material. The preferential development of subcutaneous fibrosarcomas in vaccination sites suggests that, as in cats, vaccination may promote local sarcoma development in ferrets. Additionally, some of the histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of these tumors are similar to those reported for feline vaccine-associated sarcomas. To the authors' knowledge, vaccination has not previously been reported to be oncogenic in any species other than cats.

Key words: Adjuvant; ferrets; fibrosarcoma; oncogenesis; rabies; ultrastructure; vaccination.

Request reprints from John S. Munday, Athens Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 (USA). E-mail: jmunday{at}vet.uga.edu.

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