Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in a Malaysian captive Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)

Yakubu Y., . and Z. Kamarudin, . and Abdul Rahim M., . and Ong B. L., . and K. Jayaseelan, . and R. S. K. Sharma, . and S. Sumita, . and M. M. Noordin, . and Z. Zakaria, . and Latiffah H., . and Ngeow Y. F., . and M. Firdaus, . Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in a Malaysian captive Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). pp. 34-37. ISSN 9128-2506

A 14-year-old female captive Asian elephant in a Malaysian zoo with a history of positive sero-reactivity to Elephant TB STAT-PAK assay was humanely euthanized due to chronic weight loss and poor response to treatment. Postmortem revealed generalized congestion and emphysematous lungs. Microscopically there were severe pulmonary emphysema eosinophilic hyaline membrane and infiltration of mature fibrocytes in the alveolar walls. Based on the histopathological findings interstitial pulmonary fibrosis was diagnosed. The possible cause of which although not completely known is most likely due to hypersensitivity. The allergic reaction could have been caused by exposure to antigens of avian origin or the Mycobacterium gilvum an non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) isolated from the lung. This is the second case reported in elephants globally thought it has been well studied in humans and reported in horses. Providing good husbandry for elephants in captivity is important to reduce the occurrence of such condition.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://www.mavma.org.my/2014-volume-26-issue-no-1...

Abstract

A 14-year-old female captive Asian elephant in a Malaysian zoo with a history of positive sero-reactivity to Elephant TB STAT-PAK assay was humanely euthanized due to chronic weight loss and poor response to treatment. Postmortem revealed generalized congestion and emphysematous lungs. Microscopically there were severe pulmonary emphysema eosinophilic hyaline membrane and infiltration of mature fibrocytes in the alveolar walls. Based on the histopathological findings interstitial pulmonary fibrosis was diagnosed. The possible cause of which although not completely known is most likely due to hypersensitivity. The allergic reaction could have been caused by exposure to antigens of avian origin or the Mycobacterium gilvum an non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) isolated from the lung. This is the second case reported in elephants globally thought it has been well studied in humans and reported in horses. Providing good husbandry for elephants in captivity is important to reduce the occurrence of such condition.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Asiatic elephant
AGROVOC Term:	Elephants
AGROVOC Term:	Elephas maximus
AGROVOC Term:	Pulmonary diseases
AGROVOC Term:	Hypersensitivity
AGROVOC Term:	Pneumonitis
AGROVOC Term:	Weight losses
AGROVOC Term:	Postmortem examination
AGROVOC Term:	Pulmonary emphysema
AGROVOC Term:	Allergic reactions
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:54
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8367

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