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Published on: December 15, 2011
Spontaneous Vitiligo in a Captive Rhesus Monkey (Macaca Mulatta)
Bárbara Cs Meireles1, Beatriz Goldschmidt2, Cláudia A Lopes2
1Department of Primatology, Institute of Science and Technology in Biomodels (ICTB), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;,
Abstract:
Vitiligo affects a significant portion of human and animal populations. The disease causes irregular and multifocal progressive loss of fur, skin, and mucous membrane pigmentation due to the loss or absence of melanocytes. While etiopathogenesis is not completely understood, autoimmunity, environmental, and genetic factors are implicated We present a case report on a 16-y-old female rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta ) with depigmented areas that are progressively increasing on the skin and coat and are distributed on the head and back. Histopathology revealed alterations compatible with vitiligo characterized by the absence of melanocytes in the epidermis and dermis. The clinical history and complementary exams support this diagnosis.
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