Toxoplasmosis in golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) and emperor marmosets (Saguinus imperator) in captivity

From 1991 to 1995, eight New World nonhuman primates of the family Callitri chidae belonging to the collection of Fundacao Parque Zoologico de Sao Paul o died of toxoplasmosis. Of the right affected nonhuman primates, four were Leontopithecus chrysomelas (one male, three females) and four were Saguinu s imperator (two males, two females). The most commonly affected organs wer e the lungs, liver, and lymph nodes, with hemorrhagic and necrotic lesions. Histopathologic examination revealed protozoa that were morphologically co nsistent with Toxoplasma gondii. Immunohistochemical assays were strongly p ositive for T. gondii.