Villus atrophy and malabsorption in a rhesus monkey

Villus atrophy involving the proximal small intestine was diagnosed in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) at necropsy. A juvenile, male, captive-born monkey exhibited weight loss, hypoalbuminemia, patchy alopecia, eosinophilia, and vomiting. D-xylose absorption was impaired. Contrast radiography revealed thickening of the gastric and intestinal walls, gaseous distension of intestines and a rapid transit rate. There was no clinicopathologic evidence of involvement of organs other than the gastrointestinal tract. The intestinal villus atrophy was similar in distribution and morphology to that of human celiac disease.