Abstract
This concise, full-color histopathologic atlas of background lesions in laboratory animals is a welcome newcomer in a period when so many invaluable laboratory animal pathology references are out of print and unavailable. The foreword, by Dr. Peter Mann, and the preface, by the editor, emphasize the utility of this resource for toxicologic pathologists, but it is sure to be an essential addition to the reference shelves of comparative pathologists in all settings and at various stages of their careers, as well as basic scientists utilizing these animal models.
The book comprises 9 chapters written by 6 experienced toxicologic pathologists. Chapters are dedicated to the major mammalian species utilized in preclinical studies, including nonhuman primates (cynomolgus and rhesus macaques, common marmosets), Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats, Beagle dogs, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs, minipigs, and New Zealand white rabbits. Background lesions in each chapter are further arranged by organ systems, which are easy to find; however, not all organ systems are addressed for each species. Lesions of the male and female reproductive system for the rat, mouse, dog, nonhuman primate, and minipig are succinctly compiled in a distinct chapter and organized by tissue and stage of sexual maturation. An additional benefit is inclusion of an entire chapter on artifacts, including those occurring antemortem, postmortem, and during fixation, processing, microtomy, mounting, staining, and cover slipping. All chapters are well referenced with pertinent, up-to-date resources on embryology, anatomy, histology, physiology, and pathology. There is also an extensive, easy-to-use subject index with specific listings for various species where appropriate.
The text is arranged in 3 vertical columns and spans 122 pages on glossy, high-quality paper, with each page including 1 to 9 color photographs. With over 600 color images, the print and eBook versions are worthy investments at their publisher-listed prices and even more so at the reduced prices available through various online shopping outlets. The majority of the images are photomicrographs of hematoxylin and eosin–stained tissue sections, with fewer special histochemical stains and rare macroscopic or cytologic photographs. Unfortunately, there are no photomicrographs of guinea pig lesions, and the rare macroscopic and cytologic images seem out of place due to their infrequency. In general, the images are of very high quality. While limited in size (2.5 × 2.0 in; 6.5 × 5.0 cm) to accommodate the 3-column format, the selected magnifications adequately demonstrate the described lesions. There are minor variations in color quality between images and scale bar formats, and labels in a few reproductive photographs could be emphasized by bold font.
Overall, this high-quality atlas is concise, current, and liberally illustrated. It will become an indispensable reference for trainees, pathologists, and scientists engaged in laboratory animal pathology.