Ascending intrauterine infections in rhesus monkeys

Seventeen cases of abortions and stillbirths from a harem breeding colony of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were studied to determine the role of aerobic bacteria in their etiology. Using histopathologic criteria correlated with bacterial cultures, the cause in 11 of 17 cases was found to be ascending infection with normal vaginal flora, most commonly gram-positive cocci, especially an alpha-hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus viridans). Actively breeding animals in the colony were screened for Str viridans, and it was determined to be a normal vaginal inhabitant that had the potential of becoming an opportunistic pathogen.