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Trichobezoars in baboons |
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| Authors: | Diana CP Mejido Edward J Dick Jr Priscilla C Williams RM Sharp Marcia CR Andrade CD DiCarlo & Gene B Hubbard |
| Institution: | Federal Fluminense University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Primatology Service, Center for Laboratory Animal Breeding, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Southwest National Primate Research Center at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX, USA |
| Abstract: | Background There is little information available concerning trichobezoars in the non-human primate literature. Methods We evaluated 118 cases of trichobezoar in baboons over a 29-year period at the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Results The anatomic locations affected in decreasing order were the stomach, small intestine, cecum, esophagus and colon. The most common clinical history was weight loss. The most frequent associated pathology included gastrointestinal inflammation and ulceration, emaciation, peritonitis, intussusception, pneumonia, and aspiration. Trichobezoars were the cause of death in nine baboons and the reason for euthanasia in 12. Females were 2.14 times more likely than males to be affected. The greater the percentage of group housing time, the more likely the baboon is to develop trichobezoars. Conclusions The baboon may present a useful model to evaluate the etiology, genetic predisposition, physiopathology, neurobiology, and treatment response of trichobezoars. |
| Keywords: | hair pulling hairball non-human primate Papio stomach trichophagia trichotillomania |