TREATMENT OF BILATERAL NASAL POLYPOSIS AND CHRONIC REFRACTORY INHALANT ALLERGIC RHINITIS IN A CHIMPANZEE (PAN-TROGLODYTES)

Over a 15-yr time span, a 30-yr-old female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ) exhibited recurrent upper respiratory disease that was suspected to be allergen induced. Until 1993, symptomatic therapy with several diff erent antibiotics and antihistamines yielded variable results. In earl y 1993, the chimpanzee was consistently observed to be open-mouth brea thing despite medication. Nasal polyposis was diagnosed using rigid en doscopy in September 1993, and the polyps were removed by loop excisio n. A fluorescent allergosorbent test was performed to differentiate hy persensitivity to specific regional allergens causing chronic inhalan t allergic rhinitis. Oral immunotherapy was then instituted using stan dard human treatment for Sacramento Valley pollens. This combination o f polyp removal and immunotherapy resulted in a marked reduction of cl inical signs, and continuous oral immunotherapy has controlled these s igns. Hyposensitization therapy will continue for at least 2-3 yr. The chimpanzee continues to breath normally following occasional antihist amine treatment.