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1 March 2014 Antemortem Diagnosis of Multicentric Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, Lymphoid Leukemia, and Inclusion Body Disease in a Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator)
Lionel Schilliger, Aurore Rossfelder, Jesse Bonwitt, Nicola Di Girolamo, Franck Rival, Frédéric Gandar, Paolo Selleri, Alexandra Nicolier
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Abstract

A 1.85-kg, 6-yr-old, captive-bred, male boa constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator) was presented for lethargy, anorexia, postural abnormalities, and had an elongated mass on its ventrum, 20 cm distal to the snout. Clinical examination revealed a firm, nonmobile coelomic mass (4 cm × 2 cm) and loss of the righting reflex. Hematology showed a significant increase in white blood cells, lymphocytosis, and anemia. Cytologic examination of the blood smears showed the presence of lymphoid leukemia and eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions consistent with inclusion body disease (IBD). Hyperphosphatemia was suggestive of renal failure. Radiography and ultrasound revealed a soft tissue mass at the level of the thymus proximal to, and distinct from, the heart. Cytology and postmortem histopathology confirmed the presence of a multicentric lymphoblastic lymphoma, lymphoid leukemia, and IBD. It remains unclear whether the neoplasms began their proliferation within the bone marrow or whether leukemia was a feature of disseminated, end-stage lymphoma.

Lionel Schilliger, Aurore Rossfelder, Jesse Bonwitt, Nicola Di Girolamo, Franck Rival, Frédéric Gandar, Paolo Selleri, and Alexandra Nicolier "Antemortem Diagnosis of Multicentric Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, Lymphoid Leukemia, and Inclusion Body Disease in a Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator)," Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery 24(1), 11-19, (1 March 2014). https://doi.org/10.5818/1529-9651-24.1.11
Published: 1 March 2014
JOURNAL ARTICLE
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KEYWORDS
Boa constrictor imperator
hematopoietic system
inclusion body disease
leukemia
lymphoma
neoplasia
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