Intestinal Cryptococcosis in a common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

A five-year-old female common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) died after a on e-month clinical course of nonspecific signs. Pathologic findings were acut e diffuse fibrinonecrotizing enteritis and granulomatous endolymphangitis o f intestinal and mesenteric lymphatic vessels. Both lesions were associated with a marked proliferation of Mayer's mucicarmine-positive, 4 to 15 mu m yeasts that were surrounded by a wide clear halo. The infection was probabl y acquired by oral route. Other findings included moderate multifocal granu lomatous and necrotizing hepatitis and mesangial nephropathy. Although the immunological status of this marmoset was unknown, cryptococcosis might ind uce primary lethal intestinal infections in callitrichids.