FELINE MALIGNANT-LYMPHOMAS - COMPARISON OF MORPHOLOGIC AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

Lymphoid cell populations from various hematopoietic tissues of 22 normal cats and from 14 cats with malignant lymphoma were examined simultaneously for morphologic and immunologic features. Scanning electron microscopy and mitogen stimulation studies were not useful in identifying the B [bone marrow-derived] or T [thymus-derived] cell nature of malignant lymphomas. Cell markers successfully used to identify B cells were the presence of surface immunoglobulin [Ig] by fluorescent-Ig staining procedures and the presence of complement receptors by EAC (erythrocyte, antibody, complement) rosette formation. The formation of rosettes with guinea pig erythrocytes was used to identify T cells. Using these cell surface markers, thymic lymphomas were found to be composed of T cells, and alimentary lymphomas, of B cells. The multicentric lymphomas lacked B or T cell surface markers. Classification by cytologic type of cell did not show any correlation with other values.