Oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas in zoo-managed Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii).

BACKGROUND: Oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OCSCCs) are relatively common in multiple non-human primate species but are poorly documented in Goeldi's monkeys. METHODS: Four Goeldi's monkeys with OCSCC, from three zoological collections, underwent necropsy with cytology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and pan-herpesvirus PCR analysis. RESULTS: All animals were euthanised and exhibited poor-to-emaciated body condition. Three OCSCCs arose from the maxillary oral mucosa and a single OCSCC was primarily mandibular, with bone invasion evident in three cases. Histologically, one OCSCC in situ was diagnosed, whilst the rest were typically invasive OCSCCs. Neoplastic cells were immunopositive for pancytokeratin and E-cadherin. All examined cases were negative for regional lymph node (RLN) and/or distant metastases, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) immunoexpression, and panherpesvirus PCR expression. CONCLUSIONS: OCSCCs in Goeldi's monkeys may be deeply invasive, but not readily metastatic. No herpesvirus-association or COX-2 expression was evident; the latter suggesting that NSAIDs are unlikely to be a viable chemotherapeutic treatment.

USING IN-HOUSE HEMATOLOGY TO DIRECT DECISION-MAKING IN THE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT AND MONITORING OF A CLINICAL AND SUBSEQUENTLY SUBCLINICAL CASE OF ELEPHANT ENDOTHELIOTROPIC HERPESVIRUS 1B.

A 3.5-yr-old asymptomatic female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) with a high load of circulating EEHV1B DNA on qPCR on a routine blood sample, showed progressive depletion of monocytes, lymphocytes, and platelets. Twice daily IV ganciclovir, plasma transfusions, and fluid therapy coincided with a decreasing viral load, which may support potential efficacy of this antiviral drug. An increase in lymphocytes followed initial treatment and preceded the onset of clinical signs. Administration of short-acting glucocorticosteroids for two consecutive days preceded a reduction of lymphocytes, recovery and maturation of monocytes, and gradually decreasing clinical signs, illustrating the potential value of glucocorticosteroids in treatment of clinical EEHV. Three subsequent subclinical episodes with high monocyte and platelet counts did not require intervention. Decision-making was led not just by quantification of viral load and clinical signs, but more specifically by interpretation of the hematological changes using easily accessible, in-house blood smear analysis.