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Intestinal cryptococcosis in a common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
C Juan-Sallés1, A Marco, M Domingo
1Department of Animal Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
Journal of Medical Primatology
|April 15, 1999
Summary
A marmoset died from cryptococcosis, a yeast infection causing severe intestinal and lymphatic inflammation. This case highlights the potential for lethal cryptococcal infections in callitrichids, even with nonspecific initial symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Mycology
- Primate Medicine
Background:
- Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus species, often affecting immunocompromised individuals.
- While common in some animal species, invasive cryptococcosis in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) is not well-documented.
Observation:
- A five-year-old female common marmoset presented with nonspecific clinical signs over one month before death.
- Postmortem examination revealed acute fibrinonecrotizing enteritis and granulomatous endolymphangitis.
- Microscopic analysis identified a marked proliferation of yeasts with characteristic features (Mayer's mucicarmine-positive, 4-15 µm, clear halo).
Findings:
- The identified yeasts were consistent with Cryptococcus species, indicating a diagnosis of cryptococcosis.
- The primary lesions were located in the intestinal and mesenteric lymphatic vessels, suggesting an oral route of infection.
- Additional findings included multifocal granulomatous and necrotizing hepatitis and mesangial nephropathy.
Implications:
- This case suggests that cryptococcosis can cause primary, lethal intestinal infections in callitrichid primates.
- Further research is needed to understand the susceptibility and immunological factors influencing cryptococcosis in marmosets.
- This highlights the importance of considering fungal infections in the differential diagnosis of sick non-human primates.