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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Recognition of Epidermal Transglutaminase by IgA and Tissue Transglutaminase 2 Antibodies in a Rare Case of Rhesus Dermatitis
Published on: December 15, 2011
Alopecia areata in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)
1Department of Infectious Pathology, German Primate Center (GPC), Göttingen, Germany. dr.baerbel.beardi@t-online.de
Background:
A 14-year-old female rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) of Chinese origin has been suffering from alopecia universalis since childhood.
Methods:
Recently, the health status of the animal was recorded comprehensively by detailed clinical examination including hematology and serology supplemented by histological and immunohistochemical investigations of skin biopsies and molecular biological techniques to clarify the causes of the persistent hair loss.
Results And Conclusions:
The hairless gene (hr) nonsense mutation was ruled out by polymerase chain reaction and by sequencing of the corresponding gene. Histological examinations revealed a prominent chronic lymphocytic perifolliculitis and folliculitis affecting anagen stage hair follicles as well as miniaturized hair follicles. Immunohistochemistry using the antibodies CD3, CD20 and CD4 confirmed the diagnosis of a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease resembling alopecia areata universalis in humans.
