PNNL

Abstract

Five tamarins (four Saguinus mystax and one S. labiatus) died with wasting syndrome at the Center for Reproduction and Conservation of Non Human Primates in Iquitos, Peru. At necropsy, a mass consisting of thickened terminal portion of ileum was found. Histologically, the ileum mucosa was completely ulcerated, replaced with debris and a few mononuclear inflammatory cells. Plasma cells and lymphocytes were observed diffusely distributed in the submucosa. There was also extensive fibrosis, fibroblasts, some foamy macrophages and edema. The subserosa was greatly thickened primarily with extensive fibrosis, plasma cells, few lymphocytes and edema. No infectious agent was observed. The lesions observed agree with those described previously for Crohn's disease. This is to our knowledge the first report of terminal ileitis resembling Crohn's disease in nonhuman primates.