Abstract
Amyloidosis refers to a group of protein misfolding diseases characterized by deposition of a particular amyloid protein in various organs and tissues of animals and humans. Various types and clinical forms of amyloidosis, in which the pathology and pathogenesis is diverse depending upon the underlying causes and species affected, are reported in domestic and wild animals. The clinical findings are also quite variable consequent to the variation of the tissues and organs involved and the extent of functional disruption of the affected organs in various animal species. The affected organs may be enlarged and exhibit variable pallor grossly, or the amyloid deposit may be discernible only after microscopic examination of the affected tissues. Amyloid appears as a pale eosinophilic homogenous extracellular deposit in tissues. However, microscopic examination and Congo red staining with green birefringence under polarized light are needed to confirm amyloid and differentiate it from other apparently similar extracellular deposits such as collagen and fibrin. Identifying the type of amyloid deposit needs immunohistochemical staining, ultrastructural characterization of the amyloid fibril, and if feasible also genetic studies of the involved species for clinical and prognostic purposes. This paper provides a concise review of the occurrence of amyloidosis in domestic and wild animals.
Highlights
Amyloid is a pathologic proteinaceous substance deposited between cells in various tissues and organs of the body in a wide variety of clinical settings [1]
Amyloidosis is a feature of several different pathologic mechanisms and as such should not be considered a single disease, but rather a group of diseases having in common the deposition of similar appearing proteins [16]
The clinical finding of amyloidosis in affected animals is variable and reflects the extent of perturbed function of the predominantly affected organs and tissues due to the deposition of amyloid or may show variable clinical signs that may be associated with the underlying chronic disease and the concurrent amyloid deposit
Summary
Amyloid is a pathologic proteinaceous substance deposited between cells in various tissues and organs of the body in a wide variety of clinical settings [1]. Each clinical entity of amyloidosis may be manifested by a distinct clinical form with chemically specific amyloid fibril protein This indicates that amyloid is a biochemically heterogeneous substance, there are similarities in properties and staining characteristics. Different types and clinical forms of amyloidosis are known based on the deposition in tissues and organs of various domestic and wild animals. Various forms of local amyloid deposits are known in animals and humans This includes deposition of Aβ protein in Alzheimer’s disease, AIAPP in pancreatic islet, AANF in atrial amyloid deposit with βPP, islet amyloid polypeptide, and atrial natriuretic factor as their respective precursors (Table 1) [2]. The pathogenesis, pathology, and clinical presentations of amyloidosis are protean consequent to the diverse underlying causes of its various forms, species of animals affected, and the severity of functional disruption in different tissues and organs involved. This paper provides a concise review of amyloidosis and its associated factors and clinical syndromes encompassing various forms of amyloidosis in domestic and wild animals and would be of importance as a reference for veterinary professionals and students
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