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Abstract:
Spontaneously occurring colitis cystica profunda, characterized by the presence of non-neoplastic glands and mucin-containing cysts in the submucosa of the large intestine, was observed post mortem in 4 of 28 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) but in none of 20 squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciuresu) necropsied during the same period of time. An analogous lesion in the stomach was present in 2 of the monkeys with the colonic condition. The submucosal glands and cysts resulted from extension of the mucosa through the muscularis mucosae, and inflammation was considered to have played a primary role in this process. The cause of the intestinal inflammation was not determined, and there was no known exposure to toxic chemicals, including pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls. Colitis cystica profunda affecting man and other animals has been described infrequently in the literature, but the importance of differentiating it from intestinal adenocarcinoma has been emphasized.
Insights
Spontaneously occurring colitis cystica profunda was found in rhesus monkeys but not squirrel monkeys. This condition involves non-neoplastic glands and cysts in the large intestine, potentially linked to inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Primate Pathology
- Gastrointestinal Research
Background:
- Colitis cystica profunda (CCP) is a rare condition characterized by submucosal glands and cysts in the large intestine.
- Differentiating CCP from intestinal adenocarcinoma is crucial due to potential misdiagnosis.
- Previous literature describes CCP infrequently in humans and animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the spontaneous occurrence of colitis cystica profunda in non-human primates.
- To compare the incidence of CCP between rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus).
- To investigate the potential pathogenesis and associated lesions of CCP in these primate species.
Main Methods:
- Post-mortem examination (necropsy) of 28 rhesus monkeys and 20 squirrel monkeys.
- Histopathological evaluation of gastrointestinal tissues to identify and characterize lesions.
- Macroscopic and microscopic assessment for the presence of submucosal glands and cysts.
Main Results:
- Colitis cystica profunda was identified in 4 of 28 rhesus monkeys.
- No cases of colitis cystica profunda were observed in 20 squirrel monkeys.
- An analogous gastric lesion was found in 2 rhesus monkeys with colonic CCP.
- Lesions originated from mucosal extension through the muscularis mucosae, with inflammation implicated as a primary factor.
Conclusions:
- Rhesus monkeys appear susceptible to spontaneous colitis cystica profunda, unlike squirrel monkeys.
- Inflammation likely plays a key role in the development of CCP via mucosal herniation.
- The etiology of the observed intestinal inflammation remains undetermined, with no identified exposure to common toxins.