Hemochromatosis is a condition associated with
a genetic defect in iron metabolism and this term
should be used for the genetic condition alone.
Non-genetically associated iron accumulation should
be termed iron storage disease rather than secondary
hemochromatosis.
Iron storage disease is a well described condition
in primarily captive primates. The condition is
commonly seen in primates fed on an almost exclusive
fruit diet where high vitamin C levels mobilize iron
stores initiating the iron accumulation.
Other sources include excess iron in the diet and
a deficiency of tannic acid which is an important
chelating agent. In light of the hepatic pathology
observed in this wildebeest, nutritional imbalances
are likely important contributing factors. Chronic
selenium excess (selenosis) has also been associated
with hepatic iron accumulation in livestock.
2016
MARCH
17