Pathological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical evaluation of vulvar fibropapilloma in a heifer and its therapeutic trial: A Case Report

Abstract

A 6-month-old heifer cow was admitted to a Veterinary clinic in Bani-Ghaleb, Assiut, Egypt, with a large, nodular, vulvar, broad base tumor that had an outer necrosed, rough core and smaller blackish nodules at the thigh region. The animal displayed a normal appetite, and the clinical parameters were within the normal physiological limits. The tumor was resected surgically, thermocautarization was applied and the animal received supportive treatment and antibiotic therapy to get rid of secondary infections. The tumor was photographed and fixed in neutral buffer formalin 10% for further histopathological assessments that showed hyperkeratosis, koilocytosis, and acanthosis of the stratified squamous epithelium. Occasional eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions were observed. Immunohistochemical results revealed nuclear immunopositivity to cellular proliferation markers (PCNA and Ki-67) of the stratum basale as well as fibroblasts. Vimentin-positive labeling was remarkable in the dermal connective tissue. Myofibroblasts, smooth muscles of hair follicles, and dilated capillaries showed α-SMA positive reaction. Tumor recurrence didn’t occur during a period of follow-up that extended to six months. We concluded that surgical excision with thermocautarization is the ideal treatment for genital fibropapillomas. Since the animal was sexually immature, genital papillomas are not restricted to venereal transmission. Further hormonal immunoassays are recommended.