PRESUMPTIVE DIROFILARIASIS IN A PALE-HEADED SAKI MONKEY (PITHECIA-PITHECIA)

A 6-yr-old male pale-headed saki monkey (Pithecia pithecia), born at t he Dallas Zoo, reentered the collection in 1994 after it was housed fo r 4 yr in Rhode Island and 2 yr in Florida. The monkey tested negative for both Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae and D. immitis adult antig ens (via commercially available tests) upon return. However, it tested positive for adult antigens 1 yr later, and additional testing, inclu ding ultrasonography, suggested a diagnosis of aberrant dirofilariasis . Relevant evidence of previous microfilaremia in pale-headed saki mon keys at the Dallas Zoo is reviewed. Dirofilaria immitis infection shou ld be included in the differential diagnosis list for any nonhuman pri mate with cardiopulmonary disease wherever the parasite is enzootic.