Histopathological characterisation of colitis in Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla ssp. gorilla)

Morey Matamalas, Antonia (2022) Histopathological characterisation of colitis in Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla ssp. gorilla). MVM thesis, University of Nottingham.

[img] PDF (Thesis - as examined) - Repository staff only - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader
Available under Licence Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (2MB)

Abstract

In captive gorillas, ulcerative colitis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality with no established definite aetiopathogenesis. The aim of the study was to histopathologically characterise colon lesions in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla ssp. gorilla) and to investigate the feasibility of applying the Nancy index, a disease activity scoring system for ulcerative colitis in humans. Colon samples from 21 animals were evaluated based on histopathological characteristics for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in humans and divided into acute and chronic changes. The Nancy index, graded 0 to 4, was applied to all cases. Special stains including Ziehl-Neelsen, Warthin-Starry, Gram and Periodic Acid Schiff reaction were used to identify potential aetiological agents. Most common acute changes included neutrophils in the lamina propria (17/18, 94%), mucosal and submucosal oedema (12/18, 67%), and crypt abscesses (8/18, 44%). Most common chronic changes were lamina proprial lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates (17/18, 94%) and crypt dilation/distortion (6/18, 33%). Based on the Nancy index, 4/21 (19%) cases were graded as grade 4 (the highest grade), 2/21 (10%) were identified as grade 3, 11/21 (52%) grade 2, and 4/21 (19%) cases were graded 0. The changes in the colon observed in our study show comparable characteristics to the acute phase of ulcerative colitis described in humans. No unifying aetiopathogenesis could be identified. The Nancy index proved a valuable tool for the standardisation of disease activity grading and comparison for further studies in gorilla colitis.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (MVM)
Supervisors: Baiker, Kerstin
Denk, Daniela
Keywords: gorillas, primate diseases, ulcerative colitis, Nancy index
Subjects: Q Science > QL Zoology > QL605 Chordates. Vertebrates
S Agriculture > SF Animal culture
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Veterinary Medicine and Science
Item ID: 68425
Depositing User: Morey Matamalas, Antonia
Date Deposited: 31 Jul 2022 04:41
Last Modified: 31 Jul 2022 04:41
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/68425

Actions (Archive Staff Only)

Edit View Edit View