Abstract

Background:
Fibrosarcoma is a malignant fibroblast cell neoplasm often found in dogs. The occurrence is spontaneous with an unknown cause. Malignant tumor is determined by the activity of certain proteins or enzymes crucial for cell cycle control. Caspase-3 is associated with apoptotic activity, whereas heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) is involved in tumor progression and cellular stress responses. The case reports the pathomorphological features and immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3 and HSP-70 in spontaneous fibrosarcoma in a local dog

Case Description:
This case report was based on a 15-year-old female domestic dog cadaver originating from Mata Ie Village, Darul Imarah District, Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The dog cadaver was necropsied according to the standard procedure for gross pathology observation. The swollen liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen were collected to make histopathology slides with hematoxylin and eosin, Mason’s trichome, and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3 and HSP-70 staining. Gross anatomical observation revealed a massive swollen right liver lobe with firm consistency, icterus, and necrotic foci. The kidneys, lungs, and spleens were swollen with firm consistency, pale strikes, and necrotic foci. Spleen edges were swollen with a tender consistency and blackish red in color. The histopathological examination revealed many spindle-shaped fibroblast cells, necrotic cells, and angiogenesis in the liver. Spindle-shaped fibroblasts were accompanied by necrosis in the glomerulus and tubules. Spindle-shaped fibroblasts and local emphysema were found in the lungs. Spindle-forming fibroblast cells, merged red and white pulp, and trabeculae with hyperplasia were observed in the spleen. Mason’s trichome staining revealed a collagen mass in the liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys. Against caspase-3 and HSP-70 were expressed in all organ samples.

Conclusion:
Based on the pathomorphological observation, fibrosarcoma in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen was identified in the local dog. Caspase-3 expression was categorized as low positive with a percentage contribution of 18.18%, whereas HSP-70 expression was classified as positive with a percentage contribution of 36.19%.

Key words: Apoptosis; Fibroblast; Fibrosarcoma; Heat shock protein; Tumors.