Pseudotuberculosis (Yersinia enterocolitica) in the owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Primate Medicine
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Pseudotuberculosis is a bacterial infection.
• Yersinia enterocolitica can cause disease in various animals.
• Owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) are susceptible to specific enzootic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the natural occurrence of Yersinia enterocolitica-induced pseudotuberculosis in owl monkeys.
• To report the successful experimental reproduction of this disease in owl monkeys.
• To characterize the pathological features and etiological agent associated with the disease.

Main Methods:

• Observation of natural disease cases in owl monkey colonies.
• Experimental inoculation of owl monkeys to reproduce the disease.
• Necropsy and histopathological examination of affected animals.
• Bacteriological isolation and identification of Yersinia enterocolitica from lesions.

Main Results:

• Yersinia enterocolitica caused an enzootic disease in the studied owl monkey population.
• The disease was successfully reproduced experimentally in owl monkeys.
• Key pathological findings included purulent and necrotizing enteritis, hepatitis, and splenitis.
• Large bacterial colonies of Yersinia enterocolitica were consistently found within the lesions.

Conclusions:

• Yersinia enterocolitica is a significant cause of pseudotuberculosis in owl monkeys.
• The disease presents with distinct gastrointestinal, liver, and spleen pathology.
• Owl monkeys appear to be particularly susceptible to this specific pathogen within the authors' primate colonies.