Studies on Renal Pathology in Reptiles

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Abstract
The literature on the gross and microscopic anatomy and on the physiology of the reptilian kidney is reviewed. The presence of a double blood supply—arterial to the glomeruli and venous to the proximal tubules—is of particular interest. A survey is made of the renal lesions observed in autopsies of 110 reptiles from the zoological parks at Amsterdam and Rotterdam, comprising 58 lizards, 39 snakes, 12 tortoises and 1 crocodile. The conditions observed encompass anomalies; degenerative and inflammatory lesions; calcific and gouty depositions; bacterial infections, including tuberculosis; and parasitism by amoebae and by renal coccidia, the latter a new species of Klossiella. Renal parasitism was also observed by microfilariae and by arthropod nymphs of the order Pentastomidae.