Alopecia areata in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).
BACKGROUND
A 14-year-old female rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) of Chinese origin has been suffering from alopecia universalis since childhood.


METHODS
Recently, the health status of the animal was recorded comprehensively by detailed clinical examination including hematology and serology supplemented by histological and immunohistochemical investigations of skin biopsies and molecular biological techniques to clarify the causes of the persistent hair loss.


CONCLUSIONS
The hairless gene (hr) nonsense mutation was ruled out by polymerase chain reaction and by sequencing of the corresponding gene. Histological examinations revealed a prominent chronic lymphocytic perifolliculitis and folliculitis affecting anagen stage hair follicles as well as miniaturized hair follicles. Immunohistochemistry using the antibodies CD3, CD20 and CD4 confirmed the diagnosis of a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease resembling alopecia areata universalis in humans.
Beardi
B
B
Department of Infectious Pathology, German Primate Center (GPC), Göttingen, Germany. dr.baerbel.beardi@t-online.de
Wanert
F
F
Zöller
M
M
Freyschmidt-Paul
P
P
Bodemer
W
W
Kaup
F-J
FJ
D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000473:pathology; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009262:Nails / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
D000906:Antibodies; D015703:Antigens, CD; D017931:DNA Primers; D013963:Thyroid Hormones