Giant Cell Aortitis in a South American Monkey (Callimico goeldii)

Changes consistent with those of giant cell arteritis were found in the ascending aorta of a mature male South American monkey, Callimico goeldii. The essential change was necrosis of the tunica media with associated granulomatous inflammatory reaction. There also were compensatory fibroelastic thickening of the tunica intima and lymphocytic-plasmacytic cellular infiltrations of the tunica adventitia. The animal presented clinical signs of a respiratory infection 8 weeks before it died from circulatory insufficiency.