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ULAM IN-VIVO ANIMAL CORE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Main Laboratory
North Campus Research Complex
2800 Plymouth Rd., Bld. 36: G155/157
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
(734) 647-0731
Satellite Location
3527 Animal Research Facility
1150 W. Medical Center Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0614
(734) 936-3803
ulam-ivac@umich.edu

Case Information:

Necropsy Date: 12/4/23 Clinician: Lester
IVAC Service ID: 23-3200 Prosector: Hasler
Species: ACC Gross necropsy pathologist: Curtis
Principal Investigator: Abdel-Latif Other contact: Suhan
Depart:

Animal ID:

Animal ID: Clinical Number: Age: Sex: Genotype/Strain/Study: Mode of Death:
23x10878 2.5 months M Found Deceased

Clinical History:

2.5-month-old (DOB 9/13/23) male spiny mouse found deceased on 12/4/23. No previous history.

Final Diagnos(es) for Case

Organ/System Process Diagnosis
Whole Body Diffuse marked autolysis of all body systems
Gastrointestinal Infectious Endoparasitism - see comments

Final Comments:

The high degree of post-mortem autolysis severely limits gross and histological interpretation. Sections of the gastrointestinal tract contain increased numbers of protozoa organisms. It is likely that what is being observed is an overgrowth of commensal organisms following death. To more accurately rule-out true endoparasitism within the colony, fresh fecal samples collected from several animals to submit for fecal floatation (ova/parasite) screening.

Pathologist Only:

Case Complete? Yes
Final Review Pathologist: Benjamin Curtis, DVM, DACVP
Completion Date: 2023-12-21

Gross Findings

Body condition score: 3/5
Carcass condition: Intact
Autolysis: Severe (many organs affected)

Gross Lesions

Organ System Evaluated? (Y/N/Some animals) Findings or Comments Y/N Comments (only if Findings)
Cardiovascular Y N
Endocrine Y N
Gastrointestinal Y Y Severe gaseous distension of abdomen, stomach, and cecum--suspect postmortem change.
Hematolymphoid Y N
Hepatic Y N
Integument Y N The skin has a green hue and the hair easily sloughs -> Consistent with marked autolysis.
Musculoskeletal Y N
Nervous Y N
Reproductive Y N
Respiratory Y N
Special senses Y N
Urinary Y N

Additional Procedures Performed: Check all that apply

No additional procedures reported.

Microscopic Findings

Organ/Slide Findings Y/N Description
Adrenal Glands N
All Tissues Y All tissues examined are markedly autolytic greatly inhibiting the ability to evaluate organ structure and identify potential lesions. Large basophilic bacilli (cadaver bacilli) are present in several tissues, area common finding in cases with severe autolysis, and are not associated with disease.
Brain N
Gastrointestinal tract Y Within the lumen of the GI tract, commonly associated with ingesta, are myriads of unicellular protozoa organisms. Some are approximately 15-20um in length, have a tear dropped body shape, and an occasionally apparent flagella. Others are 50-60um in diameter, round, and ciliated. Several poorly staining oblong objects, approximately 15-20um in length, with flattened apices (bi-opperculated?) are seen admixed with the ingesta. These objects may be consistent with parasite ova. See comments
Heart N
Kidneys N
Liver N
Lungs N
Spleen N

Microscopic Morphologic Diagnos(es)

Organ/System Process Morphologic Diagnosis
Whole body Marked autolysis