Pauci-immune glomerulonephritis in a captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), and a review of spontaneous cases in animals

BackgroundCrescentic glomeruli are the hallmark finding in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) and are characterized by disruption and proliferation of the glomerular capsule and an influx of cells into Bowman's space. Pauci-immune-type RPGN is identified by a lack of immunoglobulins and immune complexes in the glomerular basement membrane. MethodsComplete necropsy and histology were performed on the affected chimpanzee. Electron microscopy was performed on kidney sections. A search of the literature was performed to identify spontaneous RPGN in animals. ResultsWe report a case of crescentic glomerulonephritis of the pauci-immune-type in a hepatitis C virus-infected 28-year-old male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) who was humanely euthanized for a cardiac-related decline in health. ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first report describing pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis in a non-human primate.