An outbreak of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection in a small indoor breeding colony of red-bellied (Saguinus labiatus) tamarins

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Abstract
A spontaneous outbreak of yersiniosis caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype IIB occurred in a small indoor breeding colony of red-bellied tamarins ( Saguinus labiatus) during the winter of 1981. Of 3S monkeys at risk 6 died of an acute or subacute infection over a period of 23 days. Clinical signs were anorexia, weakness, listlessness and depression. The disease was characterized by focal necrosis of the liver, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, ulcerative enteritis, and the presence of colonies of Gram-negative bacilli in the lesions. Y. pseudotuberculosis was isolated from the liver, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes and kidney but not from the blood, lung or intestine. Contaminated food was believed to be the source of infection.