Sensitivity for the detection of a clonally rearranged antigen receptor gene in endoscopically obtained biopsy specimens from canine alimentary lymphoma

Canine alimentary lymphoma is currently diagnosed on the basis of findings of cytological or histopathological examination. However, it is often difficult to histopathologically distinguish alimentary lymphoma from lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis. Recently, the application of polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor gene rearrangement (PARR) has been reported. In the present study, we assess the sensitivity of PARR analysis in diagnosing canine alimentary lymphoma using endoscopically obtained biopsy specimens from 12 dogs that were histopathologically diagnosed as having lymphoma. The sensitivity of PARR analysis in diagnosing alimentary lymphoma was found to be 66.7%, which was lower than that of other lymphoid malignancies. A combination of histipathological examination and findings of PARR analysis may improve the diagnostic accuracy.