Oculocutaneous albinism in a wild koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) with unusual renal impairment. Issue 1 (1st March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gonzalez‐Astudillo, Viviana; Palmieri, Chiara; Shaw, Stephanie; Allavena, Rachel
• Is Part Of: Veterinary record case reports. Volume 9:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-03-01
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.08905
• DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.42
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-6121

Abstract

Abstract: An albino koala with progressive weight loss was submitted twice to a wildlife clinic. Due to poor prognosis, the koala was euthanised. Relevant histopathology findings include a membranous glomerulopathy and renal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Transmission electron microscopy revealed thickening of the mesangial matrix and glomerular basement membrane and a few dense deposits suggestive of a chronic nephropathy. Albinism in koalas is rare, and this report describes general features of wildlife albinism as well as drawing a comparison to a well‐described amelanotic syndrome in humans that typically results in a severe glomerulopathy due to circulating or in situ immune complexes.