Use of deferiprone for the treatment of hepatic iron storage disease in three hornbills

Abstract

Orally administered deferiprone was found to effectively reduce the liver iron content in these 3 hornbills with iron storage disease. All 3 methods used to monitor the liver iron content (QIA, chemical analysis of liver biopsy samples, and MRI) had similar results, indicating that all of these methods should be considered for the diagnosis of iron storage disease and monitoring of liver iron content during treatment.

Clinical Management of Avian Renal Disease

“…44 Regional invasion by renal neoplasms into the synsacrum bone and sacral nerve plexus is also reported, 138 precluding surgical excision. [125][126][127] No effective therapy for the management of renal tumors is recognized in birds. 136 Palliative treatment is often selected, including the use of analgesics (see Pain management) and corticosteroids.…”

Update on Iron Overload in Zoologic Species

“…27,40,69 SF assays are not yet commercially available for avian species, and liver biopsy remains the only reliable antemortem diagnostic test. 38,56 Liver iron concentration (LIC) may be assessed histologically or analytically. 32,61 In pigeons with experimentally induced IO and hornbills with spontaneous ISD, MRI signal intensity corresponded well with hepatic iron concentration.…”

“…45 Phlebotomy at 1% body weight 26 times over 25 weeks significantly improved iron analytes in a black-and-white ruffed lemur (BWRL, Varecia varigata) with biopsy-proven hemosiderosis but was not successful in treating a second BWRL with cirrhosis at time of initial presentation. 56 In common marmosets with experimentally induced IO, deferiprone was poorly absorbed orally and was given subcutaneously instead. The most commonly used chelating drugs are injectable deferoxamine (DFO) and oral deferiprone.…”