| Abstract: | In order to determine the existence of glomerular lesions in Saimiri boliviensis, renal biopsies were performed in 20 clinically healthy animals of similar age and both sexes. Biopsies were obtained by laparotomy with a Tru-Cut biopsy needle. Mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis characterized by an increased number of mesangial cells and increased mesangial matrix was present in 35% of the animals. Proliferative glomerulonephritis characterized by increased numbers of epithelial and endothelial cells with narrowed capillary lumen, and membranous glomerulonephritis characterized by diffuse thickening, wrinkling, and occasional lamellation of basement membranes, were present in 15% of the samples. Ultrastructural features included increased mesangial matrix, fusion of the visceral epithelial foot processes, thickened glomerular basement membranes, and incipient lamellation. Immunohistochemical examination revealed granular deposits of immunoglobulin M in the cytoplasm of mesangial cells and in the mesangial matrix in 50% of the samples. |
