A retrospective study of disease incidence in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

Abstract

The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) is becoming a popular pet in Japan. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of various diseases in African pygmy hedgehogs. We histologically investigated 105 samples from 100 privately-owned pet African pygmy hedgehogs that were submitted to two laboratories (North Lab and Patho Labo) between 2012 and 2017. Tissues submitted for this study were taken from female reproductive organs (33 cases; 31.43%), skin (20 cases; 19.05%), and the oral mucosa (19 cases; 18.1%). The most common histological diagnoses included endometrial stromal nodules identified as benign uterine neoplasia (14 cases; 13.33%); endometrial polyps identified as non-neoplastic polyps (7 cases; 6.67%), gingival hyperplasia and chronic suppurative inflammation in the oral mucosa (11 cases; 10.48%), fibrosarcomas in the skin (8 cases; 7.62%), and mammary tumors (8 cases; 7.62%). In this study, lymphoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma were less common than in the previous reports. The present study revealed the disease prevalence in captive African pygmy hedghogs that were histopathologically examined.

Keywords: African pygmy hedgehog; Atelerix albiventris; disease; endometrial polyp; tumor.

Fig. 1.

Polypoid lesions of the uterus in hedgehogs. Gross features of an endometrial polyp in a formalin-fixed uterus (left). A part of the uterine wall on the left side uterine horn was removed. Bar=1 cm.

Fig. 2.

Polypoid lesions of the uterus in hedgehogs. The histologic appearance of an endometrial polyp. The polyp was lined by endometrial epithelium and contained endometrial glands with abundant, well-differentiated adipose tissue. H&E. Bar=500 µm.

Fig. 3.

Polypoid lesions of the uterus in hedgehogs. Endometrial stromal nodule consisting of neoplastic stromal cells, forming fascicles and whorls, and a benign epithelial component arranged in tubules lined by a layer of cuboidal epithelium. H&E. Bar=500 µm.

Fig. 4.

Polypoid lesions of the uterus in hedgehogs. Endometrial stromal nodule located within the endometrium and consisting of neoplastic stromal cells, forming fascicles and whorls. H&E. Bar=500 µm. Inset: a higher magnification of the neoplastic cells.

Fig. 5.

Polypoid lesions of the uterus in hedgehogs.Endometrial stromal sarcoma that infiltrated the muscle layers. H&E. Bar=100 µm.

Fig. 6.

Polypoid lesions of the uterus in hedgehogs. Gross features of a polypoid projecting mass (black arrow) in a formalin-fixed uterine cervix (left) and polypoid necrotic mass (right) formed from the vulva. These masses are thought to have been connected. H&E. Bar=1 cm.

Fig. 7.

Malignant granulosa cell tumor in the ovary of a hedgehog, consisting of irregular accumulations of granulosa cells separated by a supporting stroma of spindle cells. H&E. Bar=100 µm.

Fig. 8.

Dysgerminoma in the ovary of a hedgehog, consisting of sheet proliferation of polyhedral cells with large nuclei and prominent nucleoli. H&E. Bar=50 µm.

Fig. 9.

Fibrosarcoma of subcutaneous tissue in a hedgehog, the cells of which exhibited a moderate amount of eosinophilic fibrillary cytoplasm with indistinct borders and oval-shaped nuclei. H&E. Bar=100 µm.

Fig. 10.

Squamous cell carcinoma of gingiva in a hedgehog. Neoplastic epithelial cells formed trabeculae or islands and infiltrated the bone. H&E. Bar=100 µm.

Fig. 11.

Gingival hyperplasia in a hedgehog. The mass consisted of mucosal epithelium with hyperplasia and granulation tissues under the submucosa. H&E. Bar=100 µm.

Fig. 12.

Mammary adenocarcinoma in a hedgehog, composed of lobules containing neoplastic cells arranged in a tubular, papillary and cribriform pattern. H&E. Bar=50 µm.