Question

A patient has Proteus infection and now plain X-ray of abdomen was done and a large stone was shown in the urinary bladder. The stone is made up of:

• A. Calcium Phosphate
• B. Cysteine
• C. Calcium Oxalate
• D. Xanthine

Hint:

Calcium phosphate stones are commonly associated with urinary tract infections, particularly those caused by Proteus species, which increase the pH of the urine.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The large stone observed in the urinary bladder of a patient with a Proteus infection is most likely composed of Calcium Phosphate. Let's understand why:

Reasoning: Proteus infections are associated with the formation of struvite stones, which are composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate. However, Proteus can also lead to the formation of stones containing calcium phosphate due to alkaline urine resulting from urea-splitting bacteria like Proteus mirabilis.

Explanation of Options:

• Calcium Phosphate: This is the correct composition. Proteus bacteria elevate urine pH, facilitating calcium phosphate stone formation.
• Cysteine: Cystine stones occur in hereditary cystinuria, unrelated to Proteus infections.
• Calcium Oxalate: These are common stones but not primarily linked with Proteus infections.
• Xanthine: Rare and involve genetic disorders affecting purine metabolism.

Thus, the stone seen in the X-ray is composed of Calcium Phosphate, confirming the diagnosis associated with a Proteus infection in this context.