The causal relationship between O2:K7:H6 extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) and native valve endocarditis: a case report

Background Native valves infective endocarditis due to Escherichia coli is still a rare disease and a particular virulence of some E.coli isolate may be suspected. Case presentation A 79-year-old woman presented during the post-operative period of an orthopedic surgery a urinary tract infection following obstructive ureteral lithiasis. E. coli was isolated from a pure culture of urine and blood sampled simultaneously. After evidence of sustained E.coli septicemia, further investigations revealed acute cholecystitis with the same micro-organism in biliary drainage and a native valve mitral endocarditis. E.coli was identified as O2:K7:H6, phylogenetic group B2, ST141, and presented several putative and proven virulence genes. The present isolate can be classified as both extra-intestinal pathogenic E.coli (ExPECJJ) and uropathogenic E. coli (UPECHM). Conclusions The relationship between the virulent factors present in ExPEC strains and some serotypes of E. coli that could facilitate the adherence to cardiac valves warrants further investigation.

Non-Contrast Computed Tomography and the Impact of Stone Density to Choose Minimal Invasive Treatment

Reno-ureteral lithiasis is a common pathology especially in socio-economically developed countries and may pose serious problems with renal function impairment. Urology is currently one of the surgical branches that benefit from a wide range of therapeutic options in reno-ureteral lithiasis, that revolutionized the criteria and indications of the lithiasis pathology, increasing the success rate and decreasing the number of days of hospitalization but which cannot provide satisfactory results if not complemented by imaging examinations. Non-contrast computer tomography is a key element in determining the best method of treatment by measuring the density of stones and increasing the stone-free rate of patients. Measurement of the stones density is done by Hounsfield units (HU), and patients who have had a [500 HU density have pleaded in over 90% for the uric acid composition. We included in our study a batch of 364 patients with reno-ureteral lithiasis and the treatment method was chosen based on the density of the stones: 64.83% of the patients with a density between 200-700 HU performed semi-rigid ureteroscopy and ballistic lithotripsy, 3.57% of patients with density between 700-1000 HU benefited from flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy, 17.58% of patients with density between 400-700HU performed ESWL and 13.73% with density]1000 HU have benefited from PCNL.

The Risk Factors and Chemical Composition of Encrustation of Ureteral Double J Stents in Patients with Urolithiasis

Ureteral stenting has become one of the most common endoscopic procedure in endourology. Its main purpose is to preserve urinary drainage if this is compromised and maintain a good renal function. Even if there were made significant improvements in the last 50 years, ureteral stenting is not without morbidity. The common ureteral stents cannot have a good long-term efficiency and at some points, it will be blocked by the encrustation and incrustation; as result, the urinary drainage will have to suffer. A total of 134 ureteral stents in 83 patients suffering from reno/ureteral lithiasis were examined. We investigated the risk factors of encrustation and analyzed the chemical compounds of it. A total of 57 stents were found encrusted. The main risk factor was represented by the indwelling time. The rate of encrustation was 18.33% in the first 5 weeks, 56% between week 6 and 12, 75% thereafter. Stents with a smaller caliber (4.8 CH) tend to be more encrusted than those with a bigger one (6 CH). The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy has found that the main chemical compound of encrustation is represented by calcium oxalate.

Semirigid ureteroscopy prior retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) helps to select the right ureteral access sheath

Objective: To evaluate ureteral compliance through semirigid ureteroscopy (sURS) in order to select the proper ureteral access sheath (UAS) size for retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Patients and methods: In a prospective study, 100 consecutive patients selected for elective sURS or RIRS were recruited. Each patient, initially underwent 9.5 Fr sURS with a safety guidewire 3Fr, in order to estimate ureteral compliance. If the ureter was compliant, a gently passage of a 12/14Fr UAS was attempted. If the ureter was not deemed compliant, passage of either a smaller UAS or a smaller semirigid 7Fr or a flexible 7.5Fr or a digital 8.5Fr scope with and without safety guidewire, was attempted. Age, gender, disease location, prestenting, previous RIRS and/or stone elimination, hydronephrosis, ureteral strictures, unsuccessful procedures, and complications, were analyzed as possible correlated factors of ureteral compliance. Results: In 77 patients the ureter was deemed compliant ≥ 14Fr. Of the preoperative factors that were examined, stent placement before RIRS (P < 0.002), previous RIRS (P = 0.000) and previous stone elimination (P = 0.004), correlated with ureter ≥ 14Fr. Ureteral lithiasis (P < 0.001), ureteral strictures (P < 0.05), unsuccessful procedures (P < 0.005) and complications (P = 0.01) correlated with ureter < 14Fr. The complication rate was 10% (10 patients) with ureteral injuries grade I in 9 patients and grade III in 1 patient according to the endoscopic grading system. Age, gender, hydronephrosis and urothelial carcinoma (UC) had no influence. Conclusions: sURS performed before RIRS allows selection of the right ureteral access sheath (UAS) and avoidance of major complications. Pre-stenting, previous RIRS and stone elimination history are all factors correlating with a compliant ureter.

Renal Impairment in Young Patients with Unilateral Ureteral Lithiasis Obstruction: What Factors can be Responsible?

In the literature, occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in young patients with unilateral ureteral lithiasic obstruction and without previous renal impairment is not very often reported, and the underlined pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly known; according to some studies, it is a false kidney failure, the increase in serum creatinine being due to absorbtion of obstructed urine in the affected kidney. We have conducted a retro and prospective study in order to identify the possible risk factors that can cause renal function impairment in young patients (18-40 years) with unilateral ureteral lithiasis obstruction and a normal contralateral kidney. Results. From 402 patients included in the study, 20.64% (83 cases) presented with serum creatinine ] 1.3 mg/dL. In patients with renal impairment, prevalence of male gender and history of NSAIDS use before admission were significantly higher than in non-AKI group. Serum urea/creatinine ratio, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (MDRD formula) were significantly higher, and respectively lower in AKI group. We found no significant differences between the two groups regarding age, prevalence of urinary tract infection after relief of obstruction, C-reactive protein value, and the duration of hospitalization. Conclusions. AKI in young patients with unilateral ureteral lithiasis obstruction and normal contralateral kidney is not quite a rare finding in our region. NSAIDs use can influence development of AKI, and should be used cautiously even in young patients with renal colic. In our opinion, the presence of AKI in patients with unilateral hydronephrosis demands urgent endourological intervention. Choosing conservative therapy in these patients, especially treatment with NSAIDS may aggravate the renal dysfunction.