ABSTRACT
Endogenous lipid pneumonia was found in 11 out of 15 (73.3%) opossums (Didelphis virginiana) captured in six municipalities from the state of Colima, Mexico. Macroscopically, multifocal yellow white subpleural plaques were found in the dorsocaudal region of both lungs. These lesions were extended to the pulmonary parenchyma. Microscopically, they were characterized by aggregates of macrophages in the alveolar walls and spaces. These macrophages had small lipid vacuoles in the cytoplasm. Also, hyperplasia of pneumocytes type II, perivascular lymphoid hyperplasia, emphysema and fibrosis were discovered. Based on these findings, endogenous lipid pneumonia was diagnosed, which seemed to be associated in 11 (73.3%) opossums with the presence of Didelphostrongylus hayesi in lungs.
Se encontró neumonía lipídica endógena en 11 (73.3%) de 15 tlacuaches (Didelphis virginiana) capturados en seis municipios del estado de Colima, México. Macroscópicamente se observaron placas subpleurales multifocales (1-5 mm) de color amarillo pálido en la región dorso caudal de ambos pulmones. Estas lesiones se extendían al parénquima pulmonar. Microscópicamente se caracterizaban por agregados de macrófagos en los espacios y paredes alveolares. Los macrófagos tenían abundantes vacuolas pequeñas lipídicas en el citoplasma. También se observó hiperplasia de neumocitos tipo II, hiperplasia linfoide perivascular, enfisema y fibrosis. Con base en estos hallazgos se diagnosticó neumonía lipídica endógena, la cual parecía estar asociada en 11 de los tlacuaches, con la presencia de Didelphostrongylus hayesi en los pulmones.