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Amyloidosis in rhesus monkeys with rheumatoid arthritis and enterocolitis
Abstract:
Generalized amyloidosis was diagnosed by light and electron microscopy in 4 of 5 monkeys (Macaca mulatta) that had a history of chronic arthritis or chronic intermittent diarrhea, or both. Clinical signs and lesions of arthritis in the monkeys were compatible with diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. Shigella sp was cultured from 1 monkey, and 2 other monkeys had colonic lesions characteristic of shigellosis. At necropsy, gross changes attributed to amyloid were seen only in the liver. Amyloid deposits in the liver, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, kidney, heart, adrenal glands, and other organs were determined by staining reactions and fine structural characteristics.
Insights
Generalized amyloidosis was diagnosed in four monkeys with chronic arthritis or diarrhea. This study highlights potential links between inflammatory conditions and amyloid deposition in non-human primates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Primate Research
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease can lead to systemic complications.
- Amyloidosis, a condition of protein misfolding and deposition, is a known complication of chronic inflammation.
- Non-human primates serve as valuable models for studying human diseases due to physiological similarities.
Observation:
- Four out of five rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with a history of chronic arthritis or diarrhea exhibited generalized amyloidosis.
- Clinical signs and arthritic lesions in the monkeys were consistent with rheumatoid arthritis criteria.
- Shigella species were identified in one monkey, and two others presented colonic lesions indicative of shigellosis.
Findings:
- Microscopic examination (light and electron microscopy) confirmed amyloid deposits across multiple organs, including the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, kidneys, heart, and adrenal glands.
- Gross pathological changes suggestive of amyloid were primarily observed in the liver.
- Staining reactions and ultrastructural characteristics confirmed the presence and nature of amyloid deposits.
Implications:
- This study demonstrates generalized amyloidosis in non-human primates associated with chronic inflammatory conditions and potential infectious agents.
- Findings contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of amyloidosis in a primate model.
- Highlights the importance of considering amyloidosis in the differential diagnosis of chronic inflammatory diseases in non-human primates.