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Extrahepatic biliary atresia in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|July 1, 1983
Summary
A rhesus monkey developed extrahepatic biliary atresia, a rare liver disease. This case in a nonhuman primate offers a new model for studying the disease's causes.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Hepatology
- Virology
Background:
- Extrahepatic biliary atresia is a serious neonatal liver condition in infants.
- The exact cause of extrahepatic biliary atresia remains unknown, but viral infections are suspected.
Observation:
- A 6-week-old female rhesus monkey presented with jaundice and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia from 6 days of age.
- Exploratory laparotomy confirmed extrahepatic biliary atresia, with biopsies showing inflammatory and fibrosing lesions.
Findings:
- Histological findings in the monkey mirrored those seen in human infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia.
- The monkey exhibited persistently high Reovirus 3 antibody titers, suggesting a possible viral link.
Implications:
- This is the first documented case of spontaneous extrahepatic biliary atresia in a nonhuman primate.
- Rhesus monkeys may serve as a valuable model for investigating the pathogenesis of extrahepatic biliary atresia.