Psoriasiform dermatosis in a rhesus monkey

Abstract

We describe a dermatosis in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) that has the characteristic features of the human skin disease, psoriasis vulgaris. The monkey was affected by chronic erythematous, scaling plaques that occurred on the scalp, face, dorsal back, the extensor aspects of the limbs and the palms and soles. Subungual hyperkeratosis was present. Skin biopsies of the affected skin showed a regular acanthosis with reduction of granular cell layer, parakeratosis and supra papillary thinning of the epidermis. Foci of inflammatory cells were seen in the upper epidermis. The dermal changes were tortuous capillary loops and benign inflammatory infiltrate, particularly in the papillary dermis, all of which are features of the human skin disease psoriasis vulgaris. The presence of a nutritional deficiency syndrome was excluded and there was no evidence of any systemic disease.