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Published on: December 23, 2016
Mixed cryoglobulinaemia in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Dong-Hong Tang1, You-Song Ye1, Chen-Yun Wang1
1Medical Primate Research Centre of China, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.
Insights
Researchers documented cryoglobulinemia (CG) in a rhesus macaque, a condition causing gel-like serum that resolubilizes upon warming. This first-in-primate case revealed renal damage and joint swelling, highlighting CG
Area of Science:
- Primate Hematology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cryoglobulinemia (CG) is a rare condition characterized by abnormal proteins in the blood.
- Previous reports of CG have primarily focused on human cases.
Observation:
- A rhesus macaque presented with serum that became gel-like at temperatures below 37°C, resolubilizing upon warming.
- The animal exhibited signs of renal damage and arthrophyma (joint swelling) during necropsy.
Findings:
- Mixed cryoglobulinemia was diagnosed using serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis.
- This case represents the first documented instance of cryoglobulinemia in a non-human primate model.
Implications:
- This finding expands the understanding of cryoglobulinemia beyond human subjects.
- Rhesus macaques may serve as a valuable model for studying cryoglobulinemia pathogenesis and treatment.
Abstract:
We report cryoglobulinaemia (CG) in a rhesus macaque whose serum sample was gel-like at <37°C and resolubilised upon warming. Mixed CG was diagnosed using serum protein electrophoresis and serum immunofixation electrophoresis. Renal damage and arthrophyma were observed during necropsy. This is the first report of CG in a non-human primate.
