Ingested 'Eucalyptus viminalis' implicated in oxalate nephropathy of marmoset monkeys

Abstract

The laboratory colony of Common Marmosets ('Callithrix jacchus') was founded at the University of New England in 1992. Prior to the oxalate poisoning that we report here, only 5 deaths had occurred and at the beginning of 2002 the colony comprised 6 males and 11 females. Seven of these died between February and August 2002. Death was attributed to kidney failure from an oxalate-induced nephropathy. The source of oxalate was identified as 'Eucalyptus viminalis'. Eucalypt branches, both dried and freshly cut from various sources had always been provided for climbing, and just before January 2002 the branches used were 'E. radiata'. Branches from a new source. a recently pruned 'E. viminalis', were put in the marmosets' cages in early January 2002 and the marmosets were observed to chew on leaves and bark. The deaths commenced in February and the branches were removed in March. Urinalysis indicated that all the surviving marmosets had chronic renal damage, and as a result deaths continued until August 2002.