Congenital Encephalitozoonosis in a Squirrel Monkey ( Saimiri sciureus).

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Primate Pathology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an opportunistic microsporidian parasite.
• Congenital infections are rare in non-human primates.
• Granulomatous encephalitis can have various etiologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document a case of congenital Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in a squirrel monkey.
• To describe the neuropathological findings.
• To highlight potential diagnostic challenges.

Main Methods:

• Necropsy and histopathological examination of the brain.
• Identification of Encephalitozoon cuniculi within brain tissue.

Main Results:

• Multifocal granulomatous encephalitis was diagnosed.
• Evidence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi invasion in the brain was confirmed.
• The infection was presumed congenital, occurring in an infant less than 24 hours old.

Conclusions:

• Congenital Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection can cause severe encephalitis in very young primates.
• Clinical signs may be absent in the dam, complicating disease surveillance.
• This case underscores the importance of considering microsporidiosis in neonatal neurological disease.