Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma in an African Lion (Panthera leo)

Lucena R.B., Fighera R.A., Carregaro A.B., Inkelmann M.A. & Barros C.S.L. 2010. [Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma in an African Lion (Panthera leo).] Carcinoma bronquiolo-alveolar em leao-africano (Panthera leo). Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 30(6): 479-483. Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil. E-mail: claudioslbarros@uol.com.br A case of diffuse bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of the mixed type was diagnosed in the lung of an adult female African lion (Panthera leo) with presenting signs of progressive dyspnea and weight loss. In all pulmonary lobes there were multiple 0.2-0.5cm in diameter soft and homogenous white nodules. Histologically, these nodules consisted of neoplastic cells with an alveolar and papillary disposition, a pattern reminiscent of the preexistent pulmonary structure. The cytoplasms of numerous neoplastic cells were positive in the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain. At immunohistochemistry examination, all neoplastic cells reacted strongly and uniformly to pancytokeratin; focal reactivity for thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) was observed in the nucleus of neoplastic cells mainly in those at the margins of the nodules. Positive reaction for surfactant A was observed in multifocal areas, both in the cytoplasm and plasma membranes of neoplastic cells. The diagnosis of diffuse bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of the mixed type was made based on histological, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry findings. This seems to be the first report of a primary malignant neoplasm in the lung of the African lion.