Intracytoplasmic Crystalline Inclusions in the Hepatocytes of an Antelope

Sanjeev Gumber,Eric Lombardini,Nobuko Wakamatsu,Bruce Williams

doi:10.4061/2010/373698

Abstract

This case report describes intracytoplasmic crystalline inclusions in the hepatocytes of a 13-year-old female Thomson's gazelle. Histologically, multifocal to coalescing areas of many hepatocytes contained large cytoplasmic vacuoles filled with pale eosinophilic homogeneous material and rare fine basophilic granules. Von Kossa staining showed the presence of calcium within cytoplasm, mainly in the inclusions, of hepatocytes. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-rays analyses, and infrared spectroscopy on the liver showed the hepatocellular material consistent with protein and carbohydrate with secondary accumulation of calcium and phosphorus. It was concluded that crystalline inclusions may have been derived due to failure of normal physiological hepatocellular clearance associated with a severe chronic disease. To the authors' knowledge this is the first reported case of hepatocellular crystalline inclusions in an antelope.

Highlights

Cytoplasmic crystalline inclusions and pathological calcification of liver have been described occasionally in humans
Multifocal to coalescing areas of many hepatocytes contained large cytoplasmic vacuoles filled with pale eosinophilic homogeneous material and rare fine basophilic granules with hematoxylin and eosin stain (Figure 2(a))
Multifocal small aggregates of neutrophils occasionally admixed with plasma cells, lymphocytes, and rare degenerative hepatocytes were present in the hepatic parenchyma

Summary

Introduction

1. Introduction Cytoplasmic crystalline inclusions and pathological calcification of liver have been described occasionally in humans. The current report describes the histological and electron microscopic features of hepatocellular crystalline inclusions in a gazelle. Multifocal to coalescing areas of many hepatocytes contained large cytoplasmic vacuoles filled with pale eosinophilic homogeneous material and rare fine basophilic granules with hematoxylin and eosin stain (Figure 2(a)). The histological findings in liver were diagnosed as chronic multifocal to coalescing severe hepatocellular vacuolation with unknown material and mineral, and multifocal moderate lymphoplasmacytic cholangiohepatitis, bridging portal fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia.

Results

Conclusion