Spontaneous Amyloidosis of Mammals

Abstract

Spontaneous amyloidosis is known in more than 30 mammalian species. Various patterns of mammalian amyloidosis are reviewed. On the basis of the anatomical distribution of the amyloid deposits a distinction is made between patterns with typical amyloid distribution, patterns with atypical distribution, and so-called intermediate or mixed patterns. Staining, histochemical, and electron microscopic properties of amyloid and possible etiological factors of amyloidosis in different mammalian species are briefly discussed.