Bacterial Cholecystitis and Cholangiohepatitis in Common Marmosets (Callithrix Jacchus)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Infectious Diseases
• Primate Research

Background:

• The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a vital NHP model in biomedical research.
• Spontaneous diseases in marmosets impact translational research quality.
• Understanding marmoset diseases is crucial for reliable research outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize an outbreak of infectious cholangiohepatitis in common marmosets.
• To identify the causative agents and source of the outbreak.
• To describe the clinical, gross, and histopathologic findings.

Main Methods:

• Case series investigation of 7 affected marmosets over 10 months.
• Clinical evaluation, blood chemistry analysis, and gross/histopathologic examination.
• Bacteriologic cultures of perimortem and postmortem samples; environmental sampling.

Main Results:

• Marmosets presented with acute lethargy, weight loss, and elevated liver enzymes.
• Severe necrosuppurative cholangiohepatitis and proliferative cholecystitis were observed.
• Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated; Pseudomonas spp. contaminated the water supply.

Conclusions:

• Infectious cholangiohepatitis caused by E. coli and P. aeruginosa can be fatal in marmosets.
• Contaminated water sources pose a significant risk in marmoset colonies.
• This severe form of cholangiohepatitis with proliferative cholecystitis is previously unreported in marmosets.