Disseminated cryptococcosis in a patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas)

Cryptococcosis was diagnosed in an adult male patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) 9 months after importation. The disease was characterized by an open lesion on the buttock and epileptiform seizures. Diagnosis was confirmed through immunologic identification of the organism in serum and cerebrospinal fluid and by mycologic procedures performed on the cultured organism. The monkey was killed and cryptococcal organisms were found in the lung, brain, subcutaneous lesions, thyroid, pancreas, adrenals, and spinal cord. Retrospective analysis of stored serum indicated that the monkey was infected at the time of importation.