Chronic Pancreatitis in Macaca Monkeys

Abstract

Chronic pancreatitis in 18 wild-caught Macaca monkeys was studied histologically. Pancreatic lesions were divided into three groups, diffuse, multifocal and focal, according to each condition of extent and distribution of lesions. Diffuse, multifocal and focal types of pancreatitis were detected in 10, 4 and 4 cases, respectively. Histological features in all 18 cases showed varied extent and distribution with inflammatory cell infiltration which consisted primarily of lymphocytes and plasmocytes and, interlobular and intralobular fibrosis. In spite of relatively slight polymorphonuclear leukocytes, small necrotic foci or areas with many polymorphonuclear leukocytes were occasionally observed. Simllar property between multifocal chronic pancreatitis and diffuse chronic pancreatitis suggested that focal acute pancreatitis could advance to multifocal chronic pancreatitis and finally to diffuse chronic pancreatitis.