A Case of Lymphocytic Leukemia in a Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) and a Review of Literature

Abstract The present paper reports the case of a 3 years old, female Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) presenting lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, and anemia and marked leukocytosis at CBC. The majority of leukocytes were lymphocytic/lymphoblastic cells (97%). Immunocytochemical staining of blood smears marked for CD3 (neg) and CD79a (pos) suggested immunophenotype B. The patient died after one month from diagnosis. Histology evidenced lymphoid infiltration in the heart, spleen, liver, kidneys and gut. In addition, in the bone marrow a massive infiltration of lymphoid cells confirmed the diagnosis of leukemia. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the CD79a positivity of a large part of infiltrating lymphoid cells indicating a B cells immunophenotype of the neoplastic population. The presence of lymphocytosis and multiorgan infiltration supported the diagnosis of lymphocytic leukemia. Finally, a revision of the literature has also been made.

[1]  Z. Knotek,et al.  A survey of diseases in captive bearded dragons: a retrospective study of 529 patients , 2017 .

[2]  E. Rousselet,et al.  Presumptive granulocytic leukemia in a hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) , 2017, The Veterinary quarterly.

[3]  John W. Harvey,et al.  Veterinary Hematology: A Diagnostic Guide and Color Atlas , 2011 .

[4]  Jessica Borne,et al.  Chemotherapeutic Treatment for Leukemia in a Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) , 2011, Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

[5]  R. Raskin,et al.  Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic T-Lymphocytic Leukemia in a Green Tree Monitor (Varanus prasinus) , 2009 .

[6]  R. Campagnoli,et al.  Chronic Monocytic Leukemia in an Inland Bearded Dragon, Pogona vitticeps , 2004 .

[7]  M. Garner,et al.  Reptile neoplasia: a retrospective study of case submissions to a specialty diagnostic service. , 2004, The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice.

[8]  M. Garner,et al.  Neoplasia of reptiles with an emphasis on lizards. , 2003, The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice.

[9]  M. Garner,et al.  Lymphocytic Leukemia and Multicentric T-Cell Lymphoma in a Diamond Python, Morelia spilota spilota , 2002 .

[10]  M. Tocidlowski,et al.  MYELOGENOUS LEUKEMIA IN A BEARDED DRAGON (ACANTHODRACO VITTICEPS) , 2009, Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

[11]  J. Turk,et al.  Lymphoblastic Leukemia in an Inland Bearded Dragon, Pogona vitticeps , 1996 .