Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma With Conjunctival T-Lymphocyte Infiltration in a Dog.

Consider neoplasia in dogs with refractory chronic conjunctivitis and mucocutaneous lesions.

This case report documents a rare presentation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with concurrent conjunctival involvement in a 15-year-old Chihuahua. The patient presented with a 3-month history of bilateral conjunctivitis refractory to conventional therapy, accompanied by severe conjunctival inflammation extending to the corneal limbus and perinasal depigmentation. Histopathological examination of nasal skin biopsies revealed epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma characterized by dense atypical lymphoid infiltration. Immunohistochemistry confirmed CD3-positive, CD79α-negative cells consistent with T-cell phenotype. Conjunctival biopsy demonstrated lymphocytic infiltration with similar immunophenotype but minimal cellular atypia and rare mitotic figures. The dog was treated with topical corticosteroids followed by oral prednisolone, surviving 191 days post-diagnosis. This case emphasizes the importance of considering neoplastic diseases in dogs presenting with chronic, refractory conjunctivitis, especially when mucocutaneous lesions are present. The findings suggest either early-stage neoplastic conjunctival involvement or reactive inflammatory response, highlighting the diagnostic value of tissue biopsy and immunohistochemistry in managing resistant ocular inflammatory conditions.

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