PLEURAL MESOCESTOIDES AND CARDIAC SHOCK IN AN OBESE VERVET MONKEY (CERCOPITHECUS-AETHIOPS)

Only one case of infection by tetrathyridia larvae of the tapeworm gen us Mesocestoides was detected in 416 necropsies of captive vervet monk eys (Cercopithecus aethiops). Two hundred nine larvae were distributed between both pleural cavities. Mass and size ranges of larvae were de termined. A plasma cell reaction indicated a humoral immune response t o parasite antigens, which may have contributed to acute, lethal cardi ac shock. Coagulative myocytolysis was confirmed. The history of this case and associated circumstantial evidence and reports in the literat ure suggest that infection of primates by tetrathyridia probably occur s after capture rather than before.