Ureaplasmas in the Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): Transmission and Elimination

Authors:
  • PFPatricia M. Furr
    Patricia M. Furr
  • CHColin Hetherington
    Colin Hetherington
  • DTDavid Taylor-Robinson
    David Taylor-Robinson
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Abstract
All adult marmosets tested had ureaplasmas in their throats but not in the lower respiratory tract, and rarely in the genital tract. Ureaplasmas persisted in the throat of a marmoset separated from the colony for 44 days. They could not be recovered from the animals for at least nine weeks after a course of minocycline. Airborne reinfection did not occur when these animals were surrounded by, but separate from, infected marmosets. It occurred when the minocycline-treated animals were caged with the infected marmosets or were inoculated. The genital tract was more difficult to infect than the oropharynx.