Ureolytic Citrobacter freundii infection of the urine as a cause of dissolution of cystine renal calculi.

Abstract

We report a case of cystinuria with staghorn renal lithiasis in a solitary right kidney and chronic renal failure. Right nephropyelolithotomy was performed and although 29 renal calculi were extracted many stones remained in situ. A permanent nephrostomy was left in the kidney. Several months later the urine was infected chronically with a ureolytic Citrobacter freundii bacteria and urinary pH oscillated between 8.0 and 9.2. Spontaneous dissolution of the cystine calculi was observed and many tiny fragments of cystine were expulsed through the nephrostomy, following which renal function improved. Despite the conditions favoring struvite calculi, formation did not occur.

• Authors: V Gutierrez Millet, M Praga, B Miranda, I Bello, L Ruilope, R Diaz Gonzalez, O Leyva, J M Alcazar, A Barrientos, J L Rodicio
• Journal: The Journal of urology (J Urol) Vol. 133 Issue 3 Pg. 443-6 (Mar 1985) ISSN: 0022-5347 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3973994 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cystine
• Urea

Topics

• Citrobacter (isolation & purification)
• Cystine (metabolism)
• Cystinuria (etiology, metabolism)
• Enterobacteriaceae Infections (complications, urine)
• Humans
• Kidney Calculi (etiology, metabolism, surgery)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Urea (metabolism)
• Urinary Tract Infections (complications, urine)
• Urine (microbiology)