Disseminated histoplasmosis in a SIV-infected rhesus monkey

Disseminated histoplasmosis due to Histoplasma capsulatum was diagnosed in a rhesus monkey inoculated with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Immunohistochemical staining of tissues for viral core antigens revealed that those macrophages that expressed viral antigen contained few or no fungal organisms, while those that were filled with fungal organisms did not express viral antigen. This is a previously undocumented condition in a SIV-infected macaque, and suggests that SIV infection of individual macrophages is not the cause of macrophage dysfunction in SIV infections.     

Amniotic band syndrome in a rhesus monkey: a case report

A rhesus monkey fetus was examined by ultrasound at 110, 111, and 113 gestational days (GD) and showed features suggestive of Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS). These included an unusual craniofacial configuration, cortical distortion, asymmetrical hydrocephalus, a right occipital porencephalic cyst, and hydropic membranes with several free strands attached to the fetal head, neck, and scapular regions. The fetus remained fixed in the same position with the head retroflexed during each consecutive exam. A hysterotomy was performed and ABS was confirmed.     

Unusual muscle abnormalities associated with thalidomide treatment in a rhesus monkey: a case report.

Unusual musculotendinous abnormalities were observed in the forelimbs of a rhesus monkey treated prenatally with thalidomide (10 mg/kg maternal body weight, gestation days 33, 34, and 35). Although the hindlimbs exhibited malformations typical of thalidomide dysmelia, the forelimbs appeared relatively normal externally. However, dissection revealed totally anomalous insertions of preaxial muscles of both forearms. Extensor muscles inserted on flexor surfaces even though normal sites of insertion were present and unoccupied. Radiographs revealed only minor ossification deficiencies in the carpus and distal radius. These observations suggest that thalidomide, given at the appropriate time, can disrupt condensation and splitting of pre-muscle masses without greatly disturbing condensation of corresponding preskeletal elements. These types of musculoskeletal relationships are unusual findings in congenital malformations of the limbs and have not been widely associated with thalidomide teratogenesis.     

Iridodialysis in a rhesus macaque: a case report

During routine physical examination, a five-year-old male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) was observed to have gaps in the right iris. Ophthalmic examination revealed inferior and superior iridodialysis with an anterior cortical cataract. The optic nerve head and fundus were normal. Uninvolved areas of the iris and anterior-chamber angle were normal on the basis of results of gonioscopy. Tonometry revealed normal intraocular pressure. The cause of the iridodialysis in this monkey's eye was not known. The animal had been housed individually since arrival due to requirements of the research protocol. Although the concomitant cataract supports a traumatic cause, there was no history of cranial or other ocular injuries. Trauma from fighting through the cage walls, self-trauma or falling inside the cage while under sedation cannot be ruled out. Multiple hematologic evaluations disclosed no abnormalities. This animal did not manifest behavioral abnormalities or any indication of pain. Therefore, treatment was not initiated. Intraocular pressure continues to be monitored at least semiannually.     

Spontaneous pericardial mesothelioma in a rhesus monkey.

Spontaneous tumors in nonhuman primates are of great importance. A spontaneous pericardial mesothelioma was observed in an 18-year-old female rhesus monkey. Grossly, the visceral pericardium was multifocally irregular and thickened with tan discoloration and was soft in consistency. Histologically, the pericardium contained highly in-folded branching fronds lined by a single layer of cuboidal cells. Tumor invaded into approximately half of the thickness of the atrial and ventricular muscles. Tumor penetration was not observed into the atrial or ventricular cavity. Within the myocardium, neoplastic cells formed glandular structures which were lined by cuboidal to columnar cells. Neoplastic cells were weakly positive with PAS and strongly positive for colloid iron and alcian blue. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells were positive for both vimentin and cytokeratin and negative with CEA and Leu-M1, indicating mesothelial origin. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a spontaneous pericardial mesothelioma in a rhesus monkey.     

Keratoconus in a rhesus monkey

A 15-year-old female rhesus monkey was observed to have bilaterally thinned and prominently curved corneas. Slit lamp observations, pachymetry, keratometry, and corneoscopy were consistent with a diagnosis of keratoconus, a relatively common corneal dystrophy in humans heretofore not described in a subhuman primate.     

Dysgerminoma in a rhesus monkey: morphologic and biological features.

A female Macaca mulatta was observed for 31 months after the initial surgical removal of an ovarian tumor. Solitary metastatic lesions were surgically removed 26 and 28 months after excision of the primary tumor. The animal was killed after 31 months because of additional metastatic lesions. Histological evaluation by light microscopy was not conclusive in determining the origin of neoplasm. Transmission electron microscopy, lymphocyte marker studies, and hormone assays were utilized to confirm the diagnosis of dysgerminoma.     

Mycobacterium kansasii in a rhesus monkey

The incidence of pulmonary disease caused by "atypical" mycobacteria has been increasing gradually in the human population since the 1950s. Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium intracellulare are the two organisms most responsible for this trend. A rhesus monkey was euthanatized and necropsied after reacting positive to mammalian Old Tuberculin on semi-annual testing. Histopathology demonstrated the presence of small numbers of acid fast organisms in pulmonary lesions. Further microbiological testing identified the causative organism as M. kansasii.     

Cerebrospinal fluid infiltration in Hodgkin lymphoma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) involvement by Hodgkin lympboma is a rare event. Involvement of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in such cases is even more uncommon. We report a case of Hodgkin lymphoma in which the patient developed infiltration of the CSF while on chemotherapy. CASE: A 45-year-old woman was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma by fine needle aspiration and subsequent biopsy of the cervical lymph node. She complained of headache during the course of chemotherapy, for which CSF examination was undertaken. Cytocentrifuge sediment of the CSF revealed marked eosinophilic pleocytosis, accompanied by scattered monocytes, polymorpbs, lymphocytes, plasma cells and histiocytes. An occasional large mononudlear cell with a large, round nucleus and prominent irregular nucleolus with a moderate amount of basophilic cytoplasm conformning to the morphology of Hodgkin's cells was noted. Binucleated Reed-Sternberg cells were not seen. Following intratbecal methotrexate, a reduction in the cellular infiltrate was observed. CONCLUSION: CSF cytology is important for the diagnosis of CNS involvement by Hodgkin lymphoma and may be positive before lesions can be visualized by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomograpby scans.