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Staphylococcal meningoencephalitis, nematodiasis, and typhlocolitis in a squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)
A García1, P R Nambiar, R P Marini
1Division of Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. agarcia@mit.edu
Journal of Medical Primatology
|September 10, 2009
Summary
A squirrel monkey experienced seizures due to a Staphylococcus aureus central nervous system (CNS) infection. This case highlights a rare spontaneous bacterial CNS infection in this species.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Primate Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- A 16-year-old male Guyanese squirrel monkey presented with a history of inappetence and weakness.
- The animal exhibited seizure activity, prompting further diagnostic investigation.
Observation:
- Clinical evaluation revealed signs of systemic illness through complete blood count, biochemical profile, and urinalysis.
- Fecal analysis detected nematode larvae, indicating parasitic co-infection.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed the presence of leukocytes and gram-positive cocci.
Findings:
- Staphylococcus aureus was successfully isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid.
- Histopathological examination confirmed systemic lesions characterized by inflammation.
- Nematodes were identified within the tissues of both the small and large intestine.
Implications:
- This case represents the first documented instance of spontaneous Staphylococcus aureus central nervous system (CNS) infection in a squirrel monkey.
- The findings underscore the importance of considering bacterial CNS infections in non-human primates presenting with neurological signs.
- This report contributes to the understanding of infectious disease pathology in squirrel monkeys and informs diagnostic and treatment strategies.
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