2 outbreaks of acute fatal enteric disease involving 20 animals in a breeding unit of approximately 200 cynomolgus monkeys were diagnosed as yersiniosis; Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was isolated from 50% of the clinically affected animals. Post-mortem findings included enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes with some enterocolitis and necrotic foci in liver and spleen. Approximately 7% of clinically healthy monkeys were found to be excreting Y. pseudotuberculosis and a further 5% Y. enterocolitica. Rectal swabs, though less convenient, were better than faecal samples for the detection of Yersinia spp. in 'healthy' monkeys. Efficiency of the cold saline technique and direct plating for isolating Yersinia spp. were compared. It is thought likely that the infection was introduced into the unit by asymptomatic infected monkeys.

An outbreak of Bordetella bronchiseptica pneumonia occurred in a breeding colony of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). 16 animals, all except one under 12 months of age, died suddenly. Extensive lesions of pneumonia and pleurisy were found at necropsy and B. bronchiseptica was isolated from the nasopharynx, trachea and lungs. Older animals had only a mild rhinitis. Colonization of the nasal mucosa occurred in 71 of 156 marmosets.

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During 3 years there were 19 clinical cases of cystitis in breeding female guineapigs, an incidence of 0·6%.