Immunohistochemical and morphological features of a small bowel leiomyoma in a black crested macaque (Macaca nigra)

Abstract

BackgroundSpontaneous gastrointestinal neoplasms in non-human primates are commonly seen in aged individuals. Due to genetic similarities between human and non-human primates, scientists have shown increasing interest in terms of comparative oncology studies.Case presentationThe present study is related to a case of an intestinal leiomyoma in a black crested macaque (Macaca nigra), kept on captivity by Matecaña Zoo, Pereira City, Colombia. The animal had abdominal distension, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea and behavioral changes. Clinical examination showed an increased volume in the upper right abdominal quadrant caused by a neoplastic mass. The patient died during the surgical procedure. Necropsy revealed several small nodules in the peritoneum with adhesion to different portions of the small and large intestines, liver, stomach and diaphragm. Tissue samples were collected, routinely processed and stained by H&E. Microscopic examination revealed a mesenchymal tumor limited to tunica muscularis, resembling normal smooth muscle cells. Neoplastic cells were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, and negative for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 by immunohistochemistry. Those morphological and immunohistochemical findings allowed to diagnose the intestinal leiomyoma referred above.ConclusionNeoplastic diseases in primates have multifaceted causes. Their manifestations are understudied, leading to a greater difficulty in detection and measurement of the real impact provides by this disease.

Spontaneous Urinary Bladder Leiomyoma in a Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)

“…In macaques, leiomyomas are the most common uterine tumor (termed 'fibroids') and have also been reported in the small intestine of macaques and at the gastroesophageal junction in a chimpanzee. 1,4,9,16 Urinary leiomyoma, like uterine fibroids, contain smooth muscle cells with variable amounts of dense collagenous matrix. 9 Urinary bladder leiomyomas have been reported in humans, dogs, cats, and goats.…”

Expression of the Chemokine CXCL12 and its Receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 in Human and Nonhuman Primate Uterine Leiomyomas

“…There are no standardized rodent animal models for the study of spontaneous uterine leiomyomas. However, nonhuman primates utilized in breeding colonies and aging studies have shown that spontaneous development of leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas being the most commonly reported uterine tumors in rhesus macaques [23][24][25][26].…”