Neuromastoma of the hard palate mucosa in an Australian green tree frog (Litoria caerulea)

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 80; no. 10; pp. 1511 - 1514
• Main Authors: KISHIMOTO, Takuya E., CHAMBERS, James K., MIYAMA, Kouki, SON, Nguyen V., KOK, Mun Keong, UNEYAMA, Mizuho, MIWA, Yasutsugu, NAKAYAMA, Hiroyuki, UCHIDA, Kazuyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2018; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Amphibians; Bats; Cytokeratin; Doublecortin protein; frog; Frogs; Litoria caerulea; Mucosa; neuroepithelioma; oral palate; Palate; Pathology; Phosphopyruvate hydratase; Stroma; frog; neuroepithelioma; oral palate
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.18-0279

A hard palate mass was surgically removed from an Australian green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) and examined pathologically. The tumor consisted of sheets of small cells arranged in a tubular structure and cords or rosettes with fibrovascular stroma. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells were diffusely positive for cytokeratin and neuron-specific enolase and partially positive for S-100 and doublecortin. These findings indicate that the tumor originated from the neuroectodermal tissue. Based on these findings, the tumor was classified as a neuromastoma (neuroepithelioma). Sensory cells located in the hard palate of the frog were considered to be the origin of the tumor. The frog died after going through 3 surgeries and experiencing difficulties closing its mouth.