Amyloidosis, hemochromatosis, and atherosclerosis in a roseate flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber).
An aged male roseate flamingo, in a private collection in the British Virgin Islands, was found acutely "down." After four days of supportive therapy, the flamingo succumbed. At necropsy gross lesions included emaciation; collapsed and thickened, yellow abdominal air sac; dark red liver, partially covered by friable yellow material; and a raised, intimal plaque in the aorta near the iliac trifurcation. Histologic examination revealed severe, diffuse, pyogranulomatous air sacculitis with associated locally extensive pleuroperitonitis/perihepatitis. Pansystemic, predominantly periarteriolar distribution of amyloid deposition was evident, as was massive intrahepatocellular accumulation of iron pigment (hemachromatosis/hemosiderosis). A locally extensive, nonobstructive, fibroatheromatous plaque was present in the distal aorta. Amyloidosis, hemochromatosis/hemosiderosis, and atherosclerosis have been recognized in Phoenicopteriformes and other marine or aquatic birds. Their pathogenesis and pathogenicity remain a matter of debate.
Brayton
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Laboratory Animal Research Center, Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021.
D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D001717:Birds; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male