An Autopsy Case of an Asian Elephant(Elephas maximus）Which Died without Clinical Signs

Abstract

A 47-year-old male Asian elephant(Elephas maximus)died without clinical signs in 1994. Grossly, gallstones, splenic atrophy, and hemorrhages in adrenal cortex and cardial left ventlicle were observed. Microscopically, atrophic spleen showed severe lymphoid atrophy, and multiple hemorrhagic foci were seen in adrenal zona fasciculata. In the heart, myocardial hemorrhages and vein thrombosis were observed in left ventricle. β-amyloid protein was positive in the cerebral vessel wall. So-called"Sudden death"syndrome was suspected in the present case.