‘Erythroblastosis Foetalis’ in the Primate, Tamarinus nigricollis

Abstract

FOETAL and neonatal haemolytic anaemia, erythroblastosis foetalis, occurs naturally in man and is a major cause of human intrauterine and post partum death. However, it occurs spontaneously in few other species; in the equines especially after cross-breeding between horses and donkeys, and in some pigs after anti-viral immunizations¹. It has been experimentally produced in dogs and rabbits by isoimmunization with paternal erythrocytes¹. To our knowledge it has not previously been reported as occurring naturally or experimentally in primates other than man. The present report offers both histopathological and serological evidence suggesting isoimmunization during pregnancy in the primate, Tamarinus nigricollis, a New World monkey of the marmoset family.