In four persons of one family the existence of an enzymatic defect, presumably consisting of a deficiency of glutaminase in the cells of the renal tubules, is postulated, and is implied by a reduced elimination of ammonia in the urine, by a relatively low urinary pH, and by its increased titratable acidity. The most characteristic clinical symptom is irritation of the distal part of the urinary...

BACKGROUND Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in elderly patients can be a complex problem in terms of approach to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, because the patients often present nonspecific symptoms. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of UTI in elderly women were studied, in order to make early diagnosis and prevent serious clinical complications secondary to UTI. METHODS...

Mercury is utilized worldwide in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and may pose a risk for miners and mining communities. While a number of studies have characterized mercury in ASGM communities, most have focused on a single media and few have taken a holistic approach. Here, a multiple media exposure assessment and cross-sectional study of mercury was conducted in 2010 through 2012...

It is well known that casts, red blood cells and white blood cells may be present in the urinary sediment of patients suffering from heart failure. In the manner that specimens of urine are usually obtained it is not possible to gain an accurate notion of the numbers of cells which are present, since variations in salt concentration and reaction of the urine may result in partial or complete di...

BACKGROUND Propionibacterium acnes has been rarely isolated as a commensal from dogs, but there is little evidence of pathogenicity. Urinary tract infections are common in dogs and are typically caused by various commensal bacteria. Here we present the first case report of a urinary tract infection caused by P. acnes. CASE PRESENTATION A 6-year-old female Japanese Shiba Inu was hospitalized f...

Two main types of erythrocytes can be found in the urine, i.e. dysmorphic erythrocytes, which are a marker of glomerular bleeding, and isomorphic erythrocytes, which are a marker of urological disorders [1,2]. In addition, in patients with sickle cell disease, sickled erythrocytes can occasionally be seen [3]. Herein we describe another type of urinary red cells, to our knowledge never describe...

BACKGROUND Critically ill patients in intensive care face hazardous conditions. Among these, acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently seen as a result of sepsis. Early diagnosis of kidney injury is of the utmost importance in the guidance of interventions or avoidance of treatment-induced kidney injury. On these grounds, we searched for markers that could indicate proximal tubular cell injury. ...