Congenital anomalies in the baboon (Papio spp.).

BACKGROUND: A comprehensive survey of the prevalence of congenital anomalies in baboons has not been previously reported. We report the congenital anomalies observed over a 26-year period in a large captive baboon colony. METHODS: A computer search was performed for all baboon congenital anomalies identified at necropsy and recorded on necropsy submissions. RESULTS: We identified 198 congenital anomalies in 166 baboons from 9972 necropsies (1.66% of total necropsies). The nervous, urogenital, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular systems were most commonly affected. The most common organs affected were the brain, bone, heart, testicle, kidney, penis, aorta, and skeletal muscle. The most frequent congenital anomalies were blindness, seizures, and hydrocephalus. CONCLUSIONS: The baboon has an overall frequency of congenital anomalies similar to humans and other non-human primates. Although the most frequently affected systems are similar, congenital anomalies involving the digestive system appear to be less common in the baboon.

Ectopic splenic nodules in the olive baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis).

Post-mortem evaluation of a female sub-adult olive baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis) revealed a case of ectopic spleen anomaly. Three spherical masses characterized the spleen anomaly. The splenic nodules were located on the left upper quadrant of the stomach, at the distal end of the pancreas. The anterior nodule measures 1.2 cm, the middle nodule 1.9 cm and the posterior nodule 1.3 cm in diameter. Normal spleen was not observed in this case. All the three ectopic splenic nodules showed normal histological architecture. A case of ectopic splenic nodules in baboon is important in that the spleen malformation can readily be mistaken for a pathological process.