Experimental Urolithiasis Ix: Influence of Infection on Stone Growth in Rats

Abstract

The role of infection in urolithiasis was studied in adult albino rats by introduction of a foreign body (small discs cut from a sheet of Zn or a piece of polythene) and the introduction of 1 of 6 bacterial strains. Uninfected rats served as controls. The resulting stone was weighed. It was found that infection with Proteus, Pasteurella, and 1 of 2 strains of staphylococcus markedly enhanced stone formation; a strain of E. coli and S. enteritidis in female Holtzman rats had little, if any, effect and the latter 2 organisms in male Harlan rats decreased stone formation. Though the capacity of some organisms to split urea is an important factor in enhancing stone growth, it does not appear to be the complete explanation for increased stone formation with certain infections. No proved explanation is available of the mechanism by which certain non-urea-splitting organisms augment stone formation. Likewise, inhibition of stone growth by infections with certain other organisms has not been explained.