Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Performing and Processing FNA of Anterior Fat Pad for Amyloid
09:41

Performing and Processing FNA of Anterior Fat Pad for Amyloid

Published on: October 31, 2010

Amyloidosis in pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina): pathologic aspects

M M Slattum1, C C Tsai, R F DiGiacomo

  • 1Division of Animal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.

Laboratory Animal Science
|November 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Amyloidosis, a protein buildup, was found in nearly 75% of pigtailed macaques. Its prevalence varied by organ and age, with intestinal inflammation and enteritis increasing risk for this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Pathology
  • Primate Research
  • Comparative Pathology

Background:

  • Amyloidosis is a condition characterized by the abnormal deposition of amyloid proteins in various organs.
  • Pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) are a relevant model for studying age-related diseases.
  • Understanding amyloidosis in non-human primates can provide insights into human disease processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the pathologic aspects and prevalence of amyloidosis in pigtailed macaques.
  • To identify factors associated with amyloid deposition in this primate population.
  • To characterize the type of amyloid found in affected animals.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 248 cases of amyloidosis in pigtailed macaques.
  • Histopathologic examination of affected tissues (spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract).
  • Histochemical testing for amyloid typing (Type AA).

Main Results:

  • Amyloid was detected in the spleen, liver, and/or gastrointestinal tract in nearly 75% of the macaques studied.
  • Amyloid occurrence showed age-related variations: decreasing in the spleen and GI tract, but increasing in the liver.
  • Intestinal inflammation, retroperitoneal fibromatosis, enteritis, enterocolitis, and glomerulonephritis were significantly associated with gastrointestinal amyloid deposition.
  • Forty cases with chronic diarrhea were identified as having Type AA amyloid.

Conclusions:

  • Amyloidosis is a common finding in aged pigtailed macaques, affecting multiple organs.
  • Specific inflammatory conditions and age are key factors influencing amyloidosis development in these primates.
  • Type AA amyloid is the predominant form in macaques presenting with chronic diarrhea.

More Related Videos

Visualization of Amyloid β Deposits in the Human Brain with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry09:31

Visualization of Amyloid β Deposits in the Human Brain with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 7, 2019

A Surgical Model of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Tibetan Minipigs07:09

A Surgical Model of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Tibetan Minipigs

Published on: February 18, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Amyloid Fibrils03:03

Amyloid Fibrils

Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins.  Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils. 
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen.   In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Amyloid Fibrils03:03

Amyloid Fibrils

Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins.  Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils. 
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen.   In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...