Natural pathology of the captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes): A 35‐year review

Abstract

Background We present the spontaneous pathological lesions identified as a result of necropsy or biopsy for 245 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) over a 35-year period. Methods A review of the pathology database was performed for all diagnoses on chimpanzees from 1980 to 2014. All morphologic diagnoses, associated system, organ, etiology, and demographic information were reviewed and analyzed. Results Cardiomyopathy was the most frequent lesion observed followed by hemosiderosis, hyperplasia, nematodiasis, edema, and hemorrhage. The most frequently affected systems were the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, urogenital, respiratory, and lymphatic/hematopoietic systems. The most common etiology was undetermined, followed by degenerative, physiologic, neoplastic, parasitic, and bacterial. Conclusions Perinatal and infant animals were mostly affected by physiologic etiologies and chimpanzee-induced trauma. Bacterial and physiologic etiologies were more common in juvenile animals. Degenerative and physiologic (and neoplastic in geriatric animals) etiologies predominated in adult, middle aged, and geriatric chimpanzees.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in a free‐living marmoset (Callithrix sp.) with concomitant biliary trematodiasis

“…Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been reported in seven of approximately 300 extant NHP species . The etiology in most of these cases was undetermined.…”

“…37 Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been reported in seven of approximately 300 extant NHP species. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] The etiology in most of these cases was undetermined. In the present case, investigation of HBV, HCV, and AFB1 exposure by IHC was negative.…”

“…Experimentally induced or naturally occurring HCC has been reported in chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ); common squirrel monkey ( Saimiri sciureus ) and black‐capped squirrel monkey ( Saimiri boliviensis ); cynomolgous ( Macaca fascicularis ), rhesus ( Macaca mulata ), and Japanese macaques ( Macaca fuscata ); African green monkey ( Cercopithecus aethiops ); and golden‐headed lion tamarins ( Leontopithecus chrysomelas ) . Other PLNs reported in NHPs are hepatoma in sooty mangabey ( Cercocebus atys ); neuroendocrine carcinoma in baboon ( Papio sp.…”

Humeral fracture repair in an African green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus)

“…The mid to distal humeral diaphysis is the most common location of fracture, and vehicular trauma is the cause in approximately 70 per cent of cases 1 2. Non‐human primates (NHPs) (chimpanzees) living in the wild are prone to extremity injuries, with long‐bone fractures occurring in the arm up to 83 per cent of the time 3. On the contrary, when in captivity, chimpanzees infrequently sustain long‐bone fractures, with only one documented report in 1362 spontaneous pathologies reported over a 35‐year time period in 245 observed primates in a research setting 3.…”

Spontaneous retroperitoneal liposarcoma in a free‐ranging juvenile golden‐headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas)

“…Lipomas are common in the subcutis and mesentery of captive middle‐aged and geriatric chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) and baboons ( Papio spp.) . Hepatic myelolipomas are frequent in common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus ), chimpanzee, red‐bellied tamarin ( Saguinus labiatus ), and Goeldi's monkeys ( Callimico goeldii ) .…”