Atypical mycobacteria as the probable cause of positive tuberculin reactions in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus).

Three of 275 squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) demonstrated a positive reaction to Koch's old tuberculin within 72 hours after the test. The animals were again positive when retested 1 week later. Two of the monkeys were killed and necropsied. There was no gross nor histologic evidence of tuberculosis. Organisms were cultured from liver, spleen, and mediastinal lymph node. These were identified as Runyon Group II mycobacteria, Mycobacteria gordoneae.