Scleral and corneal xanthomatous inflammation in a gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus)

Abstract

Bilateral multifocal corneal opacity was detected in a 4.5-year-old male captive gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus) without other clinical ocular changes. Histopathological examination revealed a severe diffuse granulomatous scleritis and focal keratitis with intralesional cholesterol, consistent with xanthomatous inflammation. This is the first report of xanthomatous inflammation in a gray mouse lemur. This condition may be the result of systemic factors (lipid metabolism disorders) and/or local predisposing factors such as hemorrhage or inflammation. The pathogenesis in this case could not be fully determined. Further studies on lemurs are required for a better understanding of their lipid metabolism, as well as for diagnosing and evaluating the incidence of xanthomatous inflammation in these species.

The Biological Clock in Gray Mouse Lemur: Adaptive, Evolutionary and Aging Considerations in an Emerging Non-human Primate Model

“…However, although these results have been observed in humans as well as other non-human primates and rodents (Vitiello et al, 1986; Czeisler et al, 1992; Valentinuzzi et al, 1997; Weinert et al, 2000; Weinert and Waterhouse, 2007; Zhdanova et al, 2011; Duffy et al, 2015), they do not explain whether these observed age-related alterations are due to a reduction of sensitivity to external light factors or to changes within the clock mechanism itself. However, a high incidence of ocular pathologies has been identified in mouse lemurs that are older than 7 years (Beltran et al, 2007; Alleaume et al, 2017; Dubicanac et al, 2017). This strongly suggests a decrease in light responsiveness through filtering of short wavelengths that are known to be efficient in the synchronization of daily rhythms in mouse lemurs (Gomez et al, 2012).…”

The Mouse Lemur, a Genetic Model Organism for Primate Biology, Behavior, and Health

“…Indeed, mouse lemurs have been proposed as a model of primate aging and Alzheimer’s disease because 5–20% of adults over age 5 in one colony show signs of premature aging, including brain atrophy, amyloid plaques, and cytoskeletal Tau pathology, accompanied by cognitive and social decline (Bons et al 2006; Languille et al 2012). Mouse lemurs are also susceptible to a variety of tumors (Remick et al 2009) and eye diseases (Beltran et al 2007; Alleaume et al 2017). …”