oxalates and Nephrosis

Oxalate nephrosis is a prevalent renal disease in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) of the Mount Lofty Ranges population in South Australia. The symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) assay is widely used in companion animals to diagnose renal disease, particularly in the early stages. This study aimed to determine: (1) reference intervals for SDMA in koalas and (2) SDMA values of koalas with oxalate nephrosis. Blood samples were collected from 41 Mount Lofty Ranges koalas euthanased on welfare grounds. Koalas were necropsied and, based on renal histopathology, were classified as unaffected (n = 22) or affected (n = 19) by oxalate nephrosis. Serum or plasma samples were analysed for creatinine, urea and SDMA and urine samples for urine specific gravity (USG). The reference interval for SDMA in unaffected koalas was 2.4-22.9 μg/dL. In koalas with oxalate nephrosis, SDMA was elevated in 74% of cases above the upper limit of the confidence interval. SDMA was elevated in three affected koalas with normal creatinine values. A positive correlation was found between SDMA and creatinine (R = 0.775, P < 0.001) and SDMA and urea (R = 0.580, P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between SDMA and USG (R = -0.495, P = 0.027). In conclusion, SDMA correlates well with other commonly used tests of renal function in koalas and should be included as part of the standard diagnostic process to increase the accuracy of oxalate nephrosis diagnosis in koalas.

Topics: Animals; Arginine; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Phascolarctidae; South Australia

The Mount Lofty Ranges koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population in South Australia has a high prevalence of the renal disease oxalate nephrosis, for which an underlying genetic cause is suspected. South Australian koalas primarily originate from those in French Island, Victoria; however, oxalate nephrosis has not previously been reported in Victorian koalas. Examination of kidney tissue sections from 63 koalas across Victoria found that nine koalas were affected by oxalate nephrosis (14.3%). These included 2/5 koalas from French Island (40%), 4/14 koalas from the western regions (29%), 2/11 Raymond Island koalas (18%), and 1/13 Cape Otway koalas (8%). There were no cases of oxalate nephrosis identified in the Strzelecki koalas (n = 12). These findings suggest that oxalate nephrosis occurs in koalas from French Island and populations that have received significant influx of koalas from French Island, but not in the Strzelecki region, which has little to no French Island input. This lends support to the theory that an inherited abnormality of oxalate metabolism could underlie the high prevalence of oxalate nephrosis in the Mount Lofty Ranges koala population, and molecular investigations are currently underway to investigate a genetic cause.

Topics: Animals; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Phascolarctidae; South Australia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Victoria

Topics: Animals; Arginine; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Phascolarctidae

Koalas in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, have a high prevalence of oxalate nephrosis, or calcium oxalate kidney crystals. Gastrointestinal tract oxalate-degrading bacteria, particularly Oxalobacter formigenes, have been identified in other animal species and humans, and their absence or low abundance is postulated to increase the risk of renal oxalate diseases. This study aimed to identify oxalate-degrading bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of koalas and determine their association with oxalate nephrosis.. Caecal and faecal samples were collected at necropsy from 22 Mount Lofty Ranges koalas that had been euthanased on welfare grounds, with 8 koalas found to have oxalate nephrosis by renal histopathology. Samples were analysed by PCR for the oxc gene, which encodes oxalyl-CoA decarboxylase, and also by Illumina sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene.. The oxc gene was detected in 100% of koala samples, regardless of oxalate nephrosis status. Oxalobacter formigenes was detected in all but one faecal sample, with no difference in abundance between koalas affected and unaffected by oxalate nephrosis. Other species of known oxalate-degrading bacteria were infrequently detected.. This is the first study to identify Oxalobacter and other oxalate-degrading bacterial species in koalas, but an association with oxalate nephrosis and absence or low abundance of Oxalobacter was not found. This suggests other mechanisms underlie the risk of oxalate nephrosis in koalas.

Topics: Acyl Coenzyme A; Animals; Autopsy; Cecum; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Tract; Male; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Oxalobacter formigenes; Phascolarctidae; Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; South Australia

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Asthma; Dexamethasone; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Emetics; Hoarding; Horse Diseases; Horses; Indoles; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Nephrosis; New South Wales; Oxalates; Phascolarctidae; Pneumocystis; Pneumocystis Infections; Powders; Pyrroles; Vomiting; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus

This study reports necropsy findings of koalas from the Mount Lofty Ranges region in order to identify health threats to this mainland South Australian population.. Koalas from the Mount Lofty Ranges region (n = 85) that had died or been euthanased on welfare grounds were examined at necropsy during 2012-13 at the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide. Disease findings, approximate age, sex and body condition of koalas were recorded. Histopathological examination was undertaken on gross lesions and in suspect cases, skin scrapings taken for microscopy and PCR performed for Chlamydia pecorum detection.. Traumatic injury was the most common necropsy finding (48/85; 57%), caused by motor vehicle accidents (35/48; 73%), canine attacks (11/48; 23%) or bushfire burns (2/48; 4%). Oxalate nephrosis (27/85; 32%) was also more common than other conditions. Infectious diseases included chlamydiosis (10/85; 12%) and sarcoptic mange (7/85; 8%). Marked testis asymmetry was evident in 11% (6/56) of males, with histopathology suggestive of atrophic change in four animals. Other pathological conditions included gastrointestinal disease (7/85; 8%) and respiratory disease (3/85; 4%). Almost half of the koalas (38/85; 45%) were found to have two or more abnormalities at necropsy.. This study found trauma, mainly from motor vehicle accidents, and oxalate nephrosis to be the predominant causes of death and/or disease in koalas from the Mount Lofty Ranges region. Recent emergence of both clinical chlamydiosis and sarcoptic mange has also occurred, providing insight into the health status and causes of disease or injury in this South Australian mainland koala population.

Topics: Accidents, Traffic; Animal Diseases; Animals; Autopsy; Cause of Death; Chlamydia; Chlamydia Infections; Dogs; Female; Male; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Phascolarctidae; South Australia; Wounds and Injuries

Oxalate nephrosis is a highly prevalent disease in the Mount Lofty Ranges koala population in South Australia, but associated clinicopathologic findings remain undescribed.. The aims of this study were to determine plasma biochemical and urinalysis variables, particularly for renal function and urinary crystal morphology and composition, in koalas with oxalate nephrosis.. Blood and urine samples from Mount Lofty Ranges koalas with oxalate nephrosis were compared with those unaffected by renal oxalate crystal deposition from Mount Lofty and Kangaroo Island, South Australia and Moggill, Queensland. Plasma and urine biochemistry variables were analyzed using a Cobas Bio analyzer, and urinary oxalate by high-performance liquid chromatography. Urinary crystal composition was determined by infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis.. Azotemia (urea > 6.6 mmol/L, creatinine > 150 μmol/L) was found in 93% of koalas with oxalate nephrosis (n = 15). All azotemic animals had renal insufficiency (urine specific gravity [USG] < 1.035), and in 83%, USG was < 1.030. Koalas with oxalate nephrosis were hyperoxaluric compared with Queensland koalas (P < .01). Urinary crystals from koalas with oxalate nephrosis had atypical morphology and were composed of calcium oxalate. Mount Lofty Ranges koalas unaffected by renal oxalate crystal deposition had renal insufficiency (43%), although only 14% had USG < 1.030 (n = 7). Unaffected Mount Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island koalas were hyperoxaluric compared with Queensland koalas (P < .01).. Koalas with oxalate nephrosis from the Mount Lofty Ranges had renal insufficiency, hyperoxaluria, and pathognomonic urinary crystals. The findings of this study will aid veterinary diagnosis of this disease.

Topics: Animals; Blood Chemical Analysis; Calcium Oxalate; Female; Hyperoxaluria; Kidney; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Phascolarctidae; Renal Insufficiency; South Australia; Urinalysis

Two unrelated Ragdoll cat mothers in Norway were found dead from renal disease. The histopathology was consistent with oxalate nephrosis with chronic or acute-on-chronic underlying kidney disease. Both cats had offspring and relatives with signs of urinary tract disease, including a kitten dead with urethral gravel. Eleven living Ragdoll cats, including nine relatives of the dead cats and the male father of a litter with similarly affected animals, were tested for primary hyperoxaluria (PH) type 1 and 2 by urine oxalate and liver enzyme analysis. Renal ultrasound revealed abnormalities in five living cats. One of these was azotaemic at the time of examination and developed terminal kidney disease 9 months later. A diagnosis of PH was excluded in 11 cats tested. The inheritance and aetiological background of the renal disease present in the breed remains unresolved at this point in time.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Hyperoxaluria, Primary; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Male; Nephrosis; Norway; Oxalates; Ultrasonography

Enteric hyperoxaluria, a complication of jejuno-ileal bypass, is associated with renal failure owing to oxalate nephrosis or tubulo-interstitial nephritis. A 54 year old woman developed renal failure 17 months after jejuno-ileal bypass for morbid obesity. Renal biopsy showed widespread acute on chronic damage to the tubulo-interstitial compartment with extensive deposition of oxalate crystals. The extent of oxalate deposition was only evident on polarisation of the biopsy.

Topics: Acute Kidney Injury; Biopsy; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Hyperoxaluria; Jejunoileal Bypass; Microscopy, Polarization; Middle Aged; Nephrosis; Oxalates

Crystals within the renal proximal convoluted tubules of several cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fasciculata) were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy together with histochemistry and X-ray microanalysis techniques. The crystals were shown to have the physical structure and staining characteristics of calcium oxalate monohydrate. The incidence varied between different batches of animals and no definite cause was established.

Topics: Animals; Anthraquinones; Calcium Oxalate; Crystallization; Electron Probe Microanalysis; Histocytochemistry; Kidney Tubules, Proximal; Macaca fascicularis; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Monkey Diseases; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Oxalic Acid; Staining and Labeling

Renal ultrasonographic findings in 12 dogs and 3 cats determined to have oxalate nephrosis presumed to be secondary to ethylene glycol intoxication were examined. Ultrasonographic changes varied from mild to marked increases in renal cortical echogenicity. A pattern of greater than normal cortical and medullary echogenicity with persistence of areas of lesser echo intensity at the corticomedullary junction and central medullary regions was observed. This pattern, termed the halo sign, was recognized in 7 dogs and 1 cat concurrent with the development of clinical anuria. Ultrasonographic patterns in these clinical cases were similar to those observed in a previous study of dogs with experimentally induced ethylene glycol nephrosis. Ultrasonographic findings were not considered pathognomonic of ethylene glycol nephrosis. Due to the high death rate reported in the cases surveyed, detection of ultrasonographic changes was considered to warrant a guarded to poor prognosis. Because of the association of the halo sign with anuria, its detection was considered to warrant a grave prognosis.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ethylene Glycols; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography

Topics: Animals; Australia; Female; Male; Marsupialia; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Oxalic Acid; Plant Poisoning

Topics: Animals; Animals, Zoo; Carnivora; Female; Kidney; Nephrosis; Oxalates

Oxalate nephrosis resulted in progressive renal failure in 4 patients after jejunoileal bypass for morbid obesity. In general, increased levels of oxalates in the blood and urine of such patients result from enhanced absorption of exogenous oxalates. Urinary calculous formation is determined further by concomitant deficiency of inhibitor substances, whereas oxalate nephrosis probably occurs as a result of oxalate deposition in renal interstitium via the blood stream. Clinical manifestations of oxalate nephrosis include pain, infection, hematuria and renal failure. Routine postoperative renal function studies and early renal biopsy in suspicious cases are urged to establish early diagnosis. Continued deterioration of renal function, despite therapy with oxalate restruction and oxalate binding agents, indicates a reversal of the bypass to preserve unaffected renal substance.

Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Ileum; Jejunum; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Nephrosis; Obesity; Oxalates; Postoperative Complications

Five out of 60 purebred Suffolk lambs died when four to six weeks old with a nephrosis characterised by heavy deposits of crystals resembling calcium oxalate in the tubules. The source of oxalate was not clearly identified but may have resulted from oxalate-forming mould contamination of concentrates fed to both ewes and lambs.

Topics: Animals; Female; Histocytochemistry; Kidney; Male; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Sheep; Sheep Diseases

In a total of 45 deceased persons, 33 cases showed no intrarenal crystal deposition and in 12 cases morphological investigation revealed intrarenal crystal deposition of varying intensity. All patients with crystal deposition had received considerable quantities of xylitol infusions within a period of 10 days. The possible connection between infusion of xylitol-containing solutions and intrarenal crystal deposition is discussed in detail.

Topics: Adolescent; Autopsy; Humans; Kidney Calculi; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Tubules; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Parenteral Nutrition; Xylitol

The radiological changes in a patient with endogenous oxalosis are correlated with their pathological and anatomical counterparts. These involve particulary the kidneys (nephrolithiasis, calcium oxalate nephrosis with scarring), the skeleton (combination of renal osteodystrophy, secondary hyperparathyroidism and oxalate deposition), and soft tissues (generalised oxalate deposition). The pathological aspects described in the literature are mentioned and possible forms of treatment are stressed.

Topics: Adult; Bone and Bones; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism; Kidney Calculi; Kidney Diseases; Metabolic Diseases; Nephrocalcinosis; Nephrosclerosis; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Radiography

Topics: Autopsy; Crystallization; Female; Glycols; Glyoxylates; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Kidney; Liver; Metabolic Diseases; Methods; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Middle Aged; Myocarditis; Myocardium; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Pancreas; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Thyroid Gland; Uremia; X-Ray Diffraction

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aorta; Autopsy; Child; Female; Glycols; Humans; Kidney Calculi; Male; Metabolic Diseases; Myocardium; Nephrocalcinosis; Nephrosis; Oxalates; Pulmonary Alveoli; Spine; Spleen; Thyroid Gland

Topics: Animals; Chinchilla; Kidney; Nephrosis; Oxalates

Topics: Calcium; Humans; Infant; Male; Nephrosis; Oxalates

Topics: Calcium Oxalate; Humans; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Nephrosis; Oxalates