FATAL ACUTE TOXOPLASMOSIS IN 3 GOLDEN LION TAMARINS (LEONTOPITHECUS-ROSALIA)

Fatal acute toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in three golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia), a breeding pair and their male offspring, by histology and immunohistochemistry. The distribution and severity of lesions differed among the animals, but the small intestine and the pa ncreaticoduodenal lymph nodes were especially affected. Protozoal orga nisms consistent with Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites, often clustered, were seen in all lesions and were specifically immunostained with a T, gondii polyclonal antibody. The infection was probably acquired orall y. Several breeding groups of golden lion tamarins have succumbed to t oxoplasmosis both in North American and European toes, so this disease should be considered an important problem in this endangered species. Toxoplasma gondii can cause latent infections in New World primates a nd therefore could potentially induce abortions or congenital infectio ns in wild golden lion tamarins born from latently infected reintroduc ed females.