Alimentary System

Salivary Gland - Amyloid

Narrative
Comment:
Amyloid deposition in tissues (amyloidosis) is a systemic disease that is rare in B6C3F1, BALB/c, and C3H mice but common in CD-1, A, Swiss Webster, SJL, and B6 mice and can be a cause of death. The incidence can be increased in association with fighting among group-housed males and with ectoparasitism. Amyloid appears as an amorphous, eosinophilic, hyaline, extracellular substance that, with progressive accumulation, results in atrophy of adjacent cells and tissue. In the salivary gland, the amyloid can cause atrophy of the salivary gland acini (Figure 1 and Figure 2). In the esophagus and small intestine, the disease appears to begin as a deposition of amyloid in the submucosa. Amyloid deposits in the glomeruli of the kidney are usually the cause of death in animals that die with amyloidosis. Congo red stains amyloid orange to orange red and under polarized light imparts a light green, so-called apple green, fluorescence.
Recommendations:
Whenever present, amyloid deposits in the salivary gland should be diagnosed as "amyloid" and graded based on the extent of the amyloid deposits. Associated atrophy of the tissues need not be diagnosed separately but can be described in the narrative.
References:

Gad S. 2007. The mouse. In: Animal Models of Toxicology, 2nd ed (Gad S, ed). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 19-146.

Abstract: http://www.crcnetbase.com/isbn/9781420014204

Myers RK, McGavin MD. 2007. Cellular and tissue responses to injury. In: Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease, 4th ed (McGavin MD, Zachary JF, eds). Mosby, St Louis, MO, 14-62.

National Toxicology Program. 1993. NTP TR-443. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Oxazepam (CAS No. 604-75-1) in Swiss-Webster and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/6030

Percy DH, Barthold SW. 2001. Mouse. In: Pathology of Laboratory Rodents and Rabbits, 2nd ed. Iowa State Press, Ames, 2001, 3-106.

Abstract: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9780470344613
  • Image of amyloid in the salivary gland from a female Swiss Webster mouse in a chronic study

    Salivary gland - Amyloid in a female Swiss Webster mouse from a chronic study. The deposition of amyloid is affecting an entire lobe of the salivary gland (arrow).

Enlarge Image
Enlarge All Images
Salivary gland - Amyloid in a female Swiss Webster mouse from a chronic study. The deposition of amyloid is affecting an entire lobe of the salivary gland (arrow).
Salivary gland - Amyloid in a female Swiss Webster mouse from a chronic study. The deposition of amyloid is affecting an entire lobe of the salivary gland (arrow).
Salivary gland - Amyloid in a female Swiss Webster mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). The extracellular amyloid (arrow) is causing atrophy of the glandular acini.
Salivary gland - Amyloid in a female Swiss Webster mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). The extracellular amyloid (arrow) is causing atrophy of the glandular acini.

Authors:

Linda H. Kooistra, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Pathologist
Charles River Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Abraham Nyska, DVM, Diplomate ECVP, Fellow IATP
Expert in Toxicologic Pathology
Visiting Full Professor of Pathology
Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University Timrat Israel

Reviewers:

Joel R. Leininger, DVM, PhD
Senior Pathologist
MedImmune
Washington, DC

Amy Brix, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC