Health problems of Callithrix jacchus in captivity.

A 20-year retrospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of diseases occurring in 265 (155 males and 110 females) common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), kept at the São Paulo Zoo. A total of 564 clinical disorders were detected: digestive problems, 50.2% (protozoa, 44.3%; helminths, 26.3%; bacteria, 7.0%; non-especific causes, 22.4%); respiratory problems (pneumonia), 16.3%; injuries, 13.8%; nutritional deficiency, 4.4%; reproductive problems (obstetrical) 2.5%; septicemia, 1.6%; circulatory problems, 1.6%; sporadic cases, 4.0%; inconclusive cases, 5.5%. Little attention has been paid to the sanitary care of marmosets in Brazil. Since most of the available information comes from the international literature, the occurrence of major diseases and their etiological agents in Brazil are relevant data.