Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the hypoglycemic episode. In neonatal rhesus macaques,
protracted hypoglycemia was found to cause adaptive and
learning difficulties after the episode, but did not cause
permanent cognitive dysfunction if the affected animals
were given special attention (
Schrier et al., 1990
). Blood
glucose monitoring of at-risk individuals and early recog-
nition and treatment are critical to a positive outcome in
nonhuman primates with hypoglycemia.
Fight Wound Trauma
Intraspecies aggression is most common during the
breeding season.
l
In rhesus macaques, it is important to distinguish
between male-induced and female-induced fight wound
trauma.
FIGURE 15.4
Male-induced bite wound trauma. An example of the
typical appearance of wounding as a result of adult male rhesus aggression.
These wounds are caused by the cutting edges and tips of canine teeth. Bite
wounds inflicted by males typically appear as deep lacerations with sharp
margins and/or puncture wounds. Female bite wound trauma appears as
crushing wounds with abrasions and contusions and is easily differentiated
from male-induced bite wounds.
l
Knowledge of proper wound management is critical,
and bandaging in nonhuman primates should be per-
formed only after careful consideration.
l
Rhabdomyolysis is a potential sequel to trauma that
involves a significant amount of bruising, and treatment
should be aimed at preventing nephropathy, sepsis,
gangrene, and tetanus.
l
victims (
Malinoski et al., 2004
). Punctures, small lacera-
tions, and severe bruising are observed on the face and
arms, and digits are often macerated to the point at which
amputation is necessary. Underlying soft tissue injury is far
more extensive than would be apparent from associated
skin lesions, and massive release of nephrotoxic myoglobin
from crushed muscle puts the animal at risk for acute renal
failure (
Ford et al., 1998
). Rhabdomyolysis, both idiopathic
and as the result of massive soft tissue trauma, has been
reported in several species of laboratory nonhuman
primates (
Seibold et al., 1971; Brack, 1981; Bicknese,
1990
). Bacterial contamination of crushed tissue increases
the risk of gangrene and tetanus.
Figures 15.5 and 15.6
demonstrate the appearance of female-pattern wounds on
Etiology/Risk Factors/Transmission/Species
Fight wound trauma is one of the most frequent causes of
morbidity in nonhuman primates housed in social groups.
This is especially true in breeding colonies where animals
are housed in large groups with complex social hierarchies.
Wounding morbidity in these colonies increases during
breeding season when the formation of new breeding
groups or introduction of unknown animals into existing
breeding groups is performed to increase production or
maintain genetic diversity.
Clinical Signs
Fight wounds may consist of lacerations, bruises, abra-
sions, punctures, or crushing injury on any part of the body,
but they are most commonly seen on the face and distal
extremities. In rhesus macaques, it is important to note that
the pattern of wounding is qualitatively distinct if inflicted
by an adult male versus one or more adult females. Male-
pattern trauma, or injury that is inflicted by an adult male,
often consists of deep lacerations that penetrate the skin and
underlying muscle bellies (
Figure 15.4
). Because of the
dramatic appearance of these wounds, they are often
detected soon after they occur and tend to heal well with
primary closure.
On the other hand, female-pattern trauma, or wounds
that are inflicted by one or more females, consists of
massive crushing injury to muscles. These injuries are
similar to those seen in human earthquake and bomb
FIGURE 15.5
Female-induced bite wound trauma
e
skin surface.
Photograph taken at necropsy of the skin surface of the elbow and ante-
brachium of a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) with female pattern bite
wounds. The bite wounds appear superficial and moderate in severity.
(Courtesy of the Division of Comparative Pathology, Tulane National
Primate Research Center.)
