Page 9 - Clinical Connections- Summer 2021
P. 9

Pathology

        “ONE PATHOLOGY” FOR CLINICIANS AND
        RESEARCHERS: ALL SPECIES ARE EQUALLY


        IMPORTANT

        Lecturer in Comparative Pathology Dr Alejandro Suarez Bonnet, an RCVS and American Specialist
        in Veterinary Pathology, talks about his expertise in histopathological diagnosis of domestic, wildlife
        and laboratory animals, which supports the service offered by the RVC Pathology and Diagnostic
        Laboratories team as well as his consultancy role in experimental and diagnostic pathology at The
        Francis Crick Institute.

             he first time I heard the term “One   triggered by viral infection with an equine   knowledge of cancer in animals, so we can
             Health” was around 20 years ago   papillomavirus, mimics skin cancer in   provide an accurate diagnosis and, when
        T when I started my veterinary degree.   humans. We are currently undertaking    possible, prognostic information that helps
        It sounded intriguing to know that diseases   further collaboration with researchers   oncologists, other specialists and general
        in wildlife, for example marine mammals   and diagnosticians from the University   practitioners to give better treatment to
        such as cetaceans (whales and dolphins),   of California, Davis, a specialist equine   patients.
        could give us information on the health   referral hospital in Kent and an NHS
        status of our oceans and ultimately the   Consultant Eye Pathologist.    Fig 2. A large cutaneous lesion in a pet
                                                                                 rabbit. Histopathology is essential to provide
        environment. At the end of the day, who   One recent area of research in which   a diagnosis and the best treatment.
        stops to think, “Is environmental pollution   the RVC and The Francis Crick Institute
        causing cancer and other diseases in   have collaborated is in understanding
        whales and dolphins?” With time, I became   the genetic signature of tuberculosis-
        interested in the comparative aspect of   infected mice, which is a leading cause
        diseases between all species, domestic   of death in humans but also occurs in
        and non-domestic, and realised that both   almost all species, from dogs to cattle
        veterinary medicine and human medicine   and monkeys. This high-impact factor
        should work more closely together for the   research in collaboration with Professor
        advancement of health science and for the   Anne O’Garra’s group highlights the role of
        benefit of all species, including humans, or   veterinary pathologists in human medical
        in other words “One Pathology”.     research.                            Furthermore, because animals, domestic
                                                                                and non-domestic, are subject to the same
         Fig 1. Wildlife species are a key factor                               environmental and nutritional factors,
         of the “One Pathology” concept.
         The image shows a pilot whale                                          studying naturally occurring tumours in
         (Globicephala macrorhynchus) prior to                                  animals generates an incredible opportunity
         post-mortem examination.                                               to help humans as well as other species.
                                                                                In fact, animals may benefit first from
                                                                                breakthroughs in cancer treatments, as has
                                                                                occurred in the treatment of bone tumours
                                                                                and skin tumours – such as melanomas.
                                                                                 The RVC’s Diagnostic Pathology
                                                                                Service is keen to receive histopathological
                                                                                samples, biopsies or tissues obtained
                                                                                at the time of post-mortem examination,
                                                                                from all species, domestic, laboratory,
                                                                                wildlife and zoo animals from practising
                                                                                veterinary surgeons, These are essential
                                                                                for the training of our anatomic pathology
                                                                                residents. Our turnaround time for all
                                                                                routine samples is 48 hours from receipt
          Comparative pathology of domestic,   Naturally occurring cancers in companion   of the specimen into the laboratory, and
        wildlife and laboratory animals has   animals are very common and an accurate   the report contains a full ‘board-style’
        always been at the centre of my clinical   diagnosis is essential for the clinical   histological description, diagnosis and
        and research activity, and recently   decision-making processes. Pet owners   comment, which is tailored specifically to
        the RVC team has published several   seek the most advanced techniques   the case. My colleagues and I are always
        articles highlighting similarities between   and treatments for their pets, which are   keen to follow up cases over the phone or
        the pathology of domestic, wildlife and   frequently considered as another family   by email.
        laboratory animals. As an example, we   member. That is why our group engages
        have demonstrated that mucocutaneous   with research projects that use diagnostic     For the Diagnostic Pathology Service,
        squamous cell carcinomas, a type of   samples submitted to the RVC’s Diagnostic   please call:01707 666 208
        skin cancer, very frequent in horses and   Pathology Service to improve our     Email:
                                                                                     diagnosticlabs@rvc.ac.uk
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