ANEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH LEAD-INTOXICATION AND UTERINE LEIOMYOMA IN A CHIMPANZEE (PAN-TROGLODYTES)

Severe anemia was documented in a 19-yr-old female chimpanzee (Pan tro glodytes) in association with excessive serum lead concentrations and heavy menstrual bleeding secondary to a uterine leiomyoma. The anemia was characterized as normocytic, normochromic anemia with reticulocyto sis apparent on cytologic examination of peripheral blood. Although th ese findings are suggestive of regenerative anemia, a bone marrow aspi rate could not be obtained to confirm this. After 14 days of chelation therapy with 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid and cessation of menstruatio n, a reduction in the severity of the anemia was noted. The remaining clinical and clinicopathologic abnormalities dissipated after ovariohy sterectomy.