Some histological lesions seen in macroscopically normal mesenteric lymph nodes of deer

Authors: Clark RG, Wilson PR, Heuer C, Glossop JC
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 57, Issue 1, pp 69, Feb 2009
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Deer, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Circulatory system/haematology, Pathology
Article class: Abstract

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Abstract: Macroscopically normal mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) were collected at approximately 25%, 50% and 75% of the full length of the MLN node chain from 80 deer killed at registered deer slaughter premises. Sections were incised at right angles to the node through the hilus.
In a number of MLN, focal macrophages within the cortex and medullary cords contained fine, granular and dense, irregularly sized material, which often had a pale brown appearance on H&E, black on a Ziehl-Neelsen stain and, very rarely, contained a red granule or crystal. The material was also positive to Sudan black and periodic acid Schiff and, to a variable extent, Perl’s stain. Some foci also contained crystalline-like material. On ultraviolet light examination of unstained sections the material emitted a golden yellow colour. These findings were indicative of a lipopigment and as they were more common in older deer were possibly age-related.
In the anterior MLN chain especially, there were calcified foci within germinal centres. This material often had a laminated appearance and generally no associated inflammatory response, although occasionally there was an associated multinucleated giant cell. Similar lesions in cattle have been considered to be post-reactive changes or due to parasites.

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