A case of spontaneous autoimmune skin disease in a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by lesions on the skin and mucous membranes. To date, no spontaneous cases of this disease have been reported in cynomolgus monkeys. This report describes the histopathological characteristics of spontaneous pemphigus in a cynomolgus monkey. Macroscopically, redness and scaling with pruritus were observed on the skin of the entire body. Histopathologically, the epidermis showed intercellular edema, and eosinophils and mononuclear cells infiltrated the epidermis. There was no obvious acantholysis in the epidermis. The perivascular area showed edema, and eosinophils and mononuclear cells infiltrated the vessels in the dermis. Immunohistochemically, the intercellular area in the epidermis was positive for Immunoglobulin G and Complement component 3. Serologically, anti-desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3 antibodies in the serum were negative. From these findings, this case was diagnosed as an autoimmune skin disease, suspected to be pemphigus, and concluded as lesions being similar to those in human “pemphigus herpetiformis”.