Clostridium difficile Enterocolitis in a Captive Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) and Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Abstract

Clostridium difficile is a well-documented cause of enterocolitis in several species, including humans, with limited documentation in New World nonhuman primates. We report several cases of C. difficile–associated pseudomembranous enterocolitis, including a case in a Geoffroy’s spider monkey ( Ateles geoffroyi) and several cases in common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus). The histologic lesions included a spectrum of severity, with most cases characterized by the classic “volcano” lesions described in humans and several other animal species. C. difficile was isolated from the colon of the spider monkey, while the presence of toxin A or toxin B or of the genes of toxin A or B by polymerase chain reaction served as corroborative evidence in several affected marmosets. C. difficile should be considered a cause of enterocolitis in these species.

Infectious diseases of neotropical primates

“…The disease occurs when a disruption of the microbiota happens and the C. difficile starts to overgrow, producing high concentrations of cytokine, responsible to induce a severe pseudomembranous colitis (116). Usually, histopathology shows multifocal areas of fibrin and necrotic debris erupting from the intestinal mucosa, forming a characteristic "volcano" aspect, evolving to a diffuse pattern with a thick layer of fibrin, mucus, cell debris and neutrophils (13). However, in a case of lethal acute diarrhea associated with C. difficile toxin A and B in a buffy-tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix aurita) it was observed just a mild neutrophilic colitis (30), warning that even with mild lesions, C. difficile must be considered in the differential diagnosis of diarrhea cases in NWP.…”

“…Stress, hospitalization, and prolonged use of antibiotics are the main predisposing factors (13,85,116). Although there is no report of the disease in free-ranging NWP, it could potentially happen in wildlife, especially in free-ranging animals submitted to a high anthropogenic environment and translocation programs.…”

Lethal acute diarrhea associated with Clostridioides difficile toxin A and B in a buffy‐tufted‐ear marmoset (Callithrix aurita)

“…Bacterial infections are often zoonotic, including gastrointestinal infections 12 . There are few reports of CDI in NHP, affecting cotton‐top tamarins ( Saguinus oedipus ), 13 a pig‐tail macaque ( Macaca nemestrina ) and a long‐tail macaque ( Macaca fascicularis ), 14 marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus ), 15,16 and a captive Geoffroy's spider monkey ( Ateles geofroyi ) 16 . However, there is no previously reported cases of CDI affecting buffy‐tufted‐ear marmosets ( C. aurita ).…”

“…and a captive Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geofroyi). 16 However, there is no previously reported cases of CDI affecting buffy-tuftedear marmosets (C. aurita). This report describes clinical, pathological, and microbiological findings of CDI in a male buffy-tufted-ear marmoset.…”

“…11 Bacterial infections are often zoonotic, including gastrointestinal infections. 12 There are few reports of CDI in NHP, affecting cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus), 13 a pig-tail macaque (Macaca nemestrina) and a long-tail macaque (Macaca fascicularis), 14 marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), 15,16…”