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Functional Insulinomas in a Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Ahmad A Saied1, Monica N Shroyer2, Joshua M Taylor3
1Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, Louisiana, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Journal of Comparative Pathology
|September 18, 2022
Summary
This study details a rare case of functional insulinomas in a Rhesus macaque, presenting with neuroglycopenic symptoms. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing these tumors in non-human primates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Primate Endocrinology
- Comparative Oncology
Background:
- Functional insulinomas are rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors causing hypoglycemia.
- Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are widely used in biomedical research, making their health relevant to study outcomes.
Observation:
- A 16.7-year-old female Rhesus macaque presented with neuroglycopenic signs, including seizures and collapse, indicative of hypoglycemia.
- Clinical management involved high-sugar diets and dextrose supplementation to maintain blood glucose levels.
- Necropsy revealed a 2.2 cm neoplastic mass in the pancreas, with histological confirmation of pancreatic islet cell origin.
Findings:
- Histological examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed the pancreatic mass as functional insulinomas.
- Neoplastic cells expressed chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and insulin, consistent with beta-cell origin.
- Immunolabeling for somatostatin, gastrin, and pancreatic polypeptide was negative, while glucagon showed limited expression.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of insulinoma occurrence in non-human primates.
- Accurate diagnosis and management of such conditions are crucial for animal welfare and research integrity.
- Highlights the need for vigilance in diagnosing endocrine disorders in research macaques.
