Asbestosis in a Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)

Area of Science:

• Environmental Pathology
• Toxicology
• Veterinary Pathology

Background:

• Asbestosis is a severe chronic lung disease linked to asbestos inhalation, a significant environmental health concern.
• Environmental contamination with asbestos fibers can lead to serious respiratory conditions in humans.

Observation:

• A naturally occurring case of asbestosis was identified in a female Japanese macaque aged over 25 years, deceased from natural causes.
• Microscopic examination revealed needle-like tremolite crystals and asbestos bodies within the lung tissue, particularly in perivascular areas.
• Pulmonary fibrosis was observed in periarterial and peribronchiolar regions, notably without accompanying inflammation.

Findings:

• Quantification revealed extensive asbestos burden: 16,633,968 asbestos bodies and 465,334,411 tremolite fibers per gram of dry lung tissue.
• The identified crystals were confirmed as tremolite asbestos.
• No evidence of tumors or pleural adhesions was detected in the affected animal.

Implications:

• This case represents the first documented instance of spontaneous asbestosis in a nonhuman animal, expanding our understanding of asbestos-related pathology.
• The findings suggest that nonhuman primates may be susceptible to developing asbestosis under natural exposure conditions.
• Further research into nonhuman animal models could provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis and long-term effects of asbestos exposure.