Tongue granuloma in a friesian cow
Histopathological examination revealed a piogranulomatous inflammatory lesion with areas of necrosis and mineralization. Among the inflammatory cells the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon could be observed, characterised by grossly asteriform, amorphous structures, consisting of eosinophilic hyaline deposits (protein) of immunocomplexes (antigen-antibody) on bacterial structures.
The observation of these lesions allows ruling out a parasitic or micobacterial etiology, and its typical of bacteria genres such as Actinobacillus, Actinomyces, Nocardia , among others, and also of some micoses.
Encapsulated nodular lesion (cut in the image) , white to yellow and partially mineralized.
Microphotography of a Haematoxilyn-eosin staining. Note the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon (arrowhead) shaped as radial, hyaline, eosinophillyc deposits of proteinaceous material. It is surrounded by abundant immfalmatory cells, mainly neutrophils and a few macrophages.
