The rat and mouse are the host reservoirs for LCM, which causes anemia and hepatitis in affected monkeys. LCM may be seen in callitrichids kept in cities, apartment buildings or other areas where mice and rats occur. Transmission is by aerosol route. Encephalomyocarditis may occur most frequently in zoos, and also has a suspected host of rats and mice. A third virus, callitrichid hepatitis, may also occur.
Toxoplasmosis occurs sporadically in callitrichids.
Spirurid nematodes and thorny-headed worms can affect marmosets and tamarins, and are carried by cockroaches and coporaphageous beetles. Also, lead poisoning may occur in tamarins and marmosets kept in apartments and houses painted with lead-based paint. Bites by callitrichids should always be considered serious. Wounds should be scrubbed with povidone iodine, then hydrogen peroxide. Owners who have been bitten should be encouraged to contact their physicians.