Periodontal health, neutrophil activity and cardiovascular health in captive chimpanzees.

Objective: To investigate the association of dental and cardiac disease in a cohort of captive chimpanzees DESIGN: 12 captive chimpanzees underwent periodontal and cardiac examinations under anaesthesia during a relocation to a new enclosure. Blood samples were taken for analysis of circulating markers of cardiac health, nutritional status and isolation of neutrophils for functional assays. They were then observed for three years for signs of heart disease.

Evaluation of the agreement of two oscillometric blood pressure devices with invasive blood pressure in anaesthetized chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Objective: To evaluate the agreement of two noninvasive blood pressure devices: a human device with the cuff placed on the wrist (Omron R1) and a veterinary device with the cuff placed on the upper brachium (Surgivet Advisor Vital Signs Monitor) with invasive blood pressure (IBP) measurement in anaesthetized chimpanzees.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: A convenience sample of 11 adult chimpanzees undergoing anaesthesia for translocation and routine health checks.

Discovery of os cordis in the cardiac skeleton of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Cardiovascular diseases, especially idiopathic myocardial fibrosis, is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in captive great apes. This study compared the structure and morphology of 16 hearts from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) which were either healthy or affected by myocardial fibrosis using X-ray microtomography. In four hearts, a single, hyperdense structure was detected within the right fibrous trigone of the cardiac skeleton.

Comparison of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in chimpanzee dried blood spots and serum.

Background: Dried blood spots (DBS) are used in human medicine to measure total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) in the blood. However, this easy and affordable sampling technique has not been evaluated in primates to measure vitamin D concentrations.

Objectives: We aimed to compare 25-OHD measurements in chimpanzee serum at two different laboratories and determine the precision and accuracy of the DBS method by comparing DBS and serum results.

Idiopathic Myocardial Fibrosis in Captive Chimpanzees ().

Cardiovascular disorders and predominantly idiopathic myocardial fibrosis are frequently associated with mortality among zoo-housed chimpanzees (). Formalin-fixed whole hearts of deceased chimpanzees housed in zoos ( = 33) and an African sanctuary ( = 2) underwent detailed macroscopic and histopathologic examination using a standardized protocol. Archived histological slides from the hearts of 23 additional African sanctuary-housed chimpanzees were also examined.