title: Liver iron overloading in captive muriquis (Brachyteles spp.).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iron accumulation was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in the liver of 15 captive Brachyteles spp.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hepatic hemosiderosis index (HHI) was determined as the area percentage of the liver parenchyma occupied by hemosiderin and ferritin deposits, through computerized histomorphometric analysis of Prussian blue-stained histologic sections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All studied animals presented liver hemosiderosis, and HHI ranged from 0.2% to 41.7%. There were no significant differences in HHI between muriqui species or genders, and no correlations were detected among HHI and age, time in captivity or body mass. Iron deposits were accompanied by other hepatic disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study addressing the occurrence and consequences of iron overloading in the liver of muriquis. We propose that hemosiderosis may act as a contribute factor for the development of hepatic injuries. Further studies are advised to clarify the role of diet in the pathogenesis of hemosiderosis in these atelids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil. stefanie@stefanie.vet.br
authors.forename: Stéfanie V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Ricardo De F
authors.initials: Rde F
authors.lastname: Strefezzi
authors.forename: Alcides
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pissinatti
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Catão-Dias
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053819:Atelinae; D006486:Hemosiderosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology