Histopathological study on a juvenile pyoderma/puppy strangles in dachshund puppy

Introduction

The skin forms an anatomical boundary between the body and its environment. It is the largest system in the body which provides protection against, physical, chemical and microbial injury, aids in thermoregulation, conservation of water, synthesis of vitamin D and sensory function. Hence, integument makes the principal organs of communication between the animal and its surroundings (Garland, 2013) [3] . The integument differs in structure from species to species as well as between regions of the body within an animal. Canine skin has two well defined layers, epidermis and dermis, lying in-so intimate association that they function as a single organ overlying the subcutis (Garland, 2013) [3] . Skin being the largest organ in the body is likely to be influenced by a plethora of infectious and non-infectious, environmental agents. In several veterinary facility 20 percent to 75 percent of dogs presented at the small animal clinics are known to be with a dermatological complaint (Scott et al., 2001) [14] . Skin reactions to stimuli serves as an excellent indicator of many systemic conditions including infections, endocrinopathies and disorders of nutrition. The diseases of the skin are important, especially in canines and with the recent advances in diagnostics, recognition of a number of specific or non-specific conditions has been possible which has resulted in a tremendous expansion in the veterinary dermatology (Hill et al., 2006) [6] . In dogs, the skin diseases could be due to parasitism, bacterial, fungal, allergies, immunological diseases, nutritional related dermatosis, hormonal disorders and cancers (Nichita and Marcu, 2010) [11] .

Clinical examination

A male 5 months old dachshund puppy dog was presented to Department of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary college Hebbal, Bengaluru, having recurrent cutaneous or skin lesion. Upon clinical examination, bilateral symmetrical alopecia, swelling and erythematous erosive lesions were seen on face included the muzzle, peri-orbital region, chin, nasal planum and pinnae with lesions extending to forelimbs. In few regions lesions were fistulated and condition was not responding to any antibiotics. Since the condition was rare, found to be recurrent and refractory to ongoing treatment, the case was further processed for biopsy and histopathology examination.

Methods and Materials Punch biopsy

The dogs showing dermatological lesion was selected to perform skin punch biopsy. The hair over and around the site to be biopsied was clipped and swabbed with 70% alcohol taken care not to disturb the surface lesion. Mostly primary skin lesion and transition lesion were selected for biopsy. Representative tissue samples were obtained by using 6 mm punch biopsy [Punch biopsy needles-M/s Accu Sharp-6mm punch biopsy needles. (Lot number: BIPU0802223)] under local anaesthesia using 2% lidocaine 2mg/kg body weight, the punch biopsy was inserted using combination of forward pressure and unidirectional rotation motions and was advanced to the depth of the subcutaneous layer. The detached piece of skin was then gently lifted at one edge using the point of a sterile needle or fine rat toothed forceps and placed in container with at least 10 times their volume of 10% phosphate buffer formalin.

Histopathology

The biopsied sample was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin immediately and processed by routine paraffin embedding technique. Sections of 4-5 microns were cut using Leitz microtome with disposable blades and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin.

Results

Upon clinical examination, bilateral symmetrical alopecia, swelling and erythematous erosive lesions were seen on face included the muzzle, peri-orbital region, chin, nasal planum and pinnae with lesions extending to forelimbs. Histopathology of biopsy sample revealed, the epidermis was normal. The dermis was often characterized by multiple discrete pyogranulomas, comprising of nodular clusters of numerous variable sized neutrophils and surrounded by larger epithelioid macrophages. This typical pyogranuloma was present at the level of isthmus of hair follicle and inflammation was predominantly pustular and suppurative. Large clusters of neutrophils were present in dermis around the ruptured follicles. The dermis was characterized by dermal oedema with granulation tissues.

Discussion

Glossy coat and healthy skin are the hallmarks of cosmetic appearance of dogs. The integumentary system is one of the largest systems in the body, at the same time they are influenced by plethora of infectious and non-infectious agents. Skin being largest organ but have limited range of response, their pattern for different skin diseases is found in a similar manner. Thus, diagnosis makes quiet challenging in complicated versions of skin diseases. This renewed interest towards particular topic. A case of juvenile sterile granulomatous dermatitis and lymphadenitis in dachshund male puppy of 5-month-old in present study, which usually occurs in young puppies between 3 to 24 weeks or 1 to 6 months of age as reported by Mason et al. (1989) [9] , White et al. (2001) [15] , Scott et al. (2001) [3] and Gross et al. (1992) [4] . Though there is no established gender predilection, some researchers have found that the incidence was higher in males (Mason et al., 1989) [9] . Increased susceptibility to certain breeds such as dachshund were at higher risk as reported by Scott et al. (2001) [3] and were consistent with the above findings. The other breeds at increased susceptibility are golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, Siberian husky, Lhasa apso, Poodle, Spaniels according to, Miura et al. (2005) [10] , Scott et al. (2001) [3] and Krishna et al. (2020) [8] .

In the percentage occurrence of puppy strangles was 1.11 percent. The condition was said to be idiopathic, ill-defined etiology and rare disease as reported by earlier workers (Gross et al., 1992; Scott et al., 2001) [4,14] . Clinically, bilateral symmetrical alopecia, swelling and erythematous erosive lesions seen on the muzzle, periorbital region (including eyelids), chin and pinnae, lesions extending to forelimbs (Gardbaum, 2009 and Gupta et al., 2020) [2,5] . Sub mandibular lymphadenopathy was observed as reported by Gupta et al. (2020) [5] .

Other findings, such as sterile cutaneous pustules often developed in specified areas of muzzle, lips and eyelids.

Otitis externa was common observation and ear pinna often indurated and oedematous. Small ulcers, draining tracts, seropurulent exudates, crusts may be developed from the ruptured pustules as reported by Gupta et al. (2020) [5] . Nodules over trunk, preputial/perineal areas have also been reported by Inga et al., (2020) [7] . According to Basset et al.

(2005) [1] older dogs revealed more conspicuous symptoms with pyrexia. While, Gardbaum (2009) [2] described lethargy, pyrexia and inappetence, joint pain with synovial fluid showed sterile neutrophilic inflammation in her studies.

Histologically, the epidermis was normal. The [14,7,12] . In present study, rare case of puppy strangles was recorded with ill-defined etiology, which is said to be mainly encounter in a young pups less than 6months of age.

Approval

The study protocol was reviewed and approved by Institutional Animal Ethical committee (IAEC), Veterinary college, Hebbal, Bangalore and the procedure was designed to avoid or minimize discomfort, distress and pain with IAEC approval No. VCH/IAEC/2022/39 dated: 10.08.2022.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementIn performing this research, we had to take help and guideline of the many, who deserves our greatest gratitude. International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research https://www.biochemjournal.com We would like to show our gratitude to faculty and friends in the Department of Medicine, Veterinary College Hebbal.

References

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