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.
The study investigated a unique form of lymphocytic mural folliculitis in 6 tigers, marked by chronic alopecia on the head, neck, and shoulders, with minimal systemic illness. Histological analysis showed lymphocytic infiltration in hair follicles, resembling epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma, but without significant clinical progression over several years. Despite various treatments, the condition persisted in most tigers, with only 1 case resolving after 7 years. The cause remained unidentified, though infectious and some autoimmune causes were ruled out, suggesting a possible hypersensitivity reaction similar to allergic dermatoses in domestic cats. The study examined 30 biopsies of nonneoplastic skin disease in tigers from 2005 to 2017, finding that 32% of inflammatory conditions manifested as infiltrative lymphocytic mural folliculitis, a pattern unique to tigers. The study highlighted the importance of recognizing this pattern to avoid misdiagnosis as epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma and called for further research to understand the causes.
