case_images: PMC11816176_01
case_images: Case 1. Histopathology of a pituitary gland abscess in a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). (A) The abscess extended from the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus; hypothalamic white matter tracts are highlighted by the arrow. H&E; bar = 500 microm. (B) Higher magnification of the abscess showing the fibrous capsule (asterisk) separating the abscess from compressed neuropil. H&E; bar = 100 microm.
case_images: animals-15-00409-g001.jpg
case_images: PMC11816176_01_animals-15-00409-g001.jpg
case_images: animals-15-00409-f001
case_images: On histopathology, abscessation of the pituitary gland and meninges was characterized by neutrophilic inflammation and abundant nuclear debris extending dorsally towards the hypothalamus (Figure 1A). Surrounding the abscess was a thin fibrous capsule, and the adjacent neuropil was compressed, containing numerous necrotic neurons (Figure 1B).
case_images: PMC11816176_02
case_images: Case 2. Head of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) showing (A) the left eye crusted with severe mucopurulent exudate. (B) The same deer with the brain ventrally reflected, revealing yellow-green purulent exudate replacing the pituitary gland (asterisk). (C) Inflammation is primarily neutrophilic with streaming nuclear debris and fibrin (asterisk). H&E; bar = 200 microm (D). Gram stain highlighting Gram-negative rods (arrow) in one case. Gram stain with McDonald's modification; bar = 20 microm.
case_images: animals-15-00409-g002.jpg
case_images: PMC11816176_02_animals-15-00409-g002.jpg
case_images: animals-15-00409-f002
case_images: The left globe was coated in thick, yellow, dried exudate that filled the ventral conjunctiva and extended rostrally on the skin (Figure 2A). Internally, the pituitary gland was full of thick, green exudate (Figure 2B). Higher magnification identified abundant degenerating neutrophils and streaming nuclear debris (Figure 2C). Short Gram-negative rods were common within the focal abscess with Gram staining (Figure 2D).
case_images: PMC11816176_03
case_images: PMC11816176_04
case_images: PMC11816176_05