Mandibular Osteomyelitis in a Squirrel Monkey

Although nonhuman primates often have their canine teeth cut or removed for safe handling, osteomyelitis of the mandible or maxilla has rarely been reported in laboratory animal literature. In the case reported here, a young adult squirrel monkey had a draining skin lesion on the left mandible. The monkey was treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The lesion resolved, but recurred. Culture of a specimen from the deep portion of the lesion yielded Staphylococcus aureus and a Proteus sp. Radiographic findings were consistent with osteomyelitis. A sequestrum was removed intra-orally and oral administration of ciprofloxacin for 60 days led to resolution of the problem. It is assumed that infection of the left molar led to the osteomyelitis, but the definitive etiologic agent was not determined.