Fatal infections in a captive Pithecia irrorata (primate) by Porocephalus sp. (Pentastomida)

Abstract

This work presents a case of sudden death of a non-human adult male primate, which belongs to the National Primate Center (CENP – Ananindeua – Pará – Brazil). The specimen was necropsied, and the anatomicopathologic exam showed a great collection of clotted blood in the right thoracic cavity, forming a mold. The aorta revealed an extensive lesion in its intima with a disruption area in its tissue. In the lungs, three encapsulated parasites were observed in subpleural location, specifically in the diaphragmatic, right apical and accessory lobes, measuring 05 mm diameter, which revealed a C-form by transparency analysis, characteristic of the nymphal stage of Pentastomida. Two cysts were dissected and the parasites demonstrated structural and morphometric patterns compatible with the nymph of Porocephalus. Histologically, encapsulated parasites were observed in the lungs, with inflammatory reaction in the underlying parenchyma, presence of exudate composed of fibrin, macrophages, detaching the eosinophils and presenting no granulomatous reaction. The aortic adventitial tissue presented development of granulation tissue, deposit of fibroid material in its margins, prevalence of eosinophils and free blood. The macroscopic and microscopic alterations in the aorta, as well as the presence of nymphs of Pentastomida in the lungs are data that base the hypothesis that the aortic lesion was responsible for the fatal picture of internal hemorrhage, and this picture was due to the migratory process of Pentastomida.