Lymphocytic Mural Folliculitis Resembling Epitheliotropic Lymphoma in Tigers (Panthera Tigris)
April 2018
in “
Veterinary Pathology
”
lymphocytic mural folliculitis chronic alopecia hyperpigmentation lichenification pruritus lymphocytic infiltrates epidermal lymphocytic infiltrates dermis inflammation immunomodulatory therapy hypersensitivity reaction epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma hair loss skin darkening thickened skin itchiness immune therapy allergic reaction skin lymphoma
TLDR Tigers had a skin condition causing hair loss and inflammation, but the cause is unknown and treatment didn't work.
A study described lymphocytic mural folliculitis in 6 tigers, characterized by chronic alopecia with minimal scaling and crusting, primarily on the head, neck, and shoulders. More severe cases showed hyperpigmentation and lichenification, but pruritus was absent. The tigers did not exhibit systemic illness, and clinical pathology was unremarkable. Histologic examination revealed lymphocytic infiltrates in the hair follicles and mild epidermal lymphocytic infiltrates, with the dermis being mostly unremarkable or mildly inflamed. The cause was unidentified, and immunomodulatory therapy was ineffective. This condition might represent a nonspecific hypersensitivity reaction, necessitating differentiation from epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma.
