The Douroucouli (Aotus) in Laboratory Cycles of Yellow Fever 1

Abstract

Summary Four douroucoulis (Aotus trivirgatus) from the Villavicencio area of eastern Colombia were tested in laboratory cycles of yellow fever with the mosquito Haemagogus capricornii and a local strain of virus. All four animals showed acute, fatal infections, characterized by fever and a very high titer of circulating virus; death occurred on the fourth or fifth day after infection. Three of the animals showed stomach hemorrhage, and liver tissue from all four showed lesions characteristic of fatal yellow fever in man and rhesus monkeys. Virus was transmitted by the bite of the mosquito Haemagogus capricornii from saimiri to douroucouli, douroucouli to douroucouli, and douroucouli to saimiri. There is some evidence that the douroucouli may be important in the epidemiology of yellow fever, since it is said to be the only monkey in certain areas in Colombia where the disease is endemic.