Vet. Pathol. 23:155-161 (1986) Cytochemical Characterization of Feline Leukemic Cells

Abstract. Hematopoietic cells in blood and/or bone marrow from 23 leukemic cats and ten control cats were characterized using a battery of cytochemical enzyme stains. The results of cytochemical staining led to modification of diagnosis based on clinical, hematologic and histopathologic findings in four (1 7%) of the leukemias. Sudan black-B and chloroacetate esterase served as granulocytic markers in both the control and leukemic groups. Peroxidase activity was seen in the granulocytes and monocytes of control animals but not in the blasts of leukemic cats. Diffuse alpha naphthyl butyrate esterase staining marked monocytes in both control and leukemic animals. Cytochemical staining was found to be a valuable aid in the classification of leukemias in the cat. Specific diagnosis of various feline leukemias may be difficult using conventional hematologic stains of blood and bone marrow films. Cytochemical stains of human blood and bone marrow cells have been rec-ommended to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of hematologic d i~ease. ~ Reports of cytochemical char-acterization of hematopoietic cells of cats are limite