Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A new urolith in four cats and a dog: composition and crystal structure.
- Journal:
- Journal of biological inorganic chemistry : JBIC : a publication of the Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry
- Year:
- 2002
- Authors:
- Frank, Adrian et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Chemistry
Plain-English summary
Researchers discovered a new type of bladder stone in four Persian cats and one collie dog. This stone was made up of potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which were identified through chemical tests. The structure of the stone suggests that it may form due to a genetic issue affecting an enzyme that normally helps break down certain compounds in the body. This finding could help veterinarians understand and treat similar cases in pets. The treatment and outcomes for the affected animals were not detailed in the study.
Abstract
A previously unreported urolith is presented. The concrement was found in the bladder of four Persian cats and one collie dog. It contained potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, all determined by chemical analysis. The infrared spectrum of the X-ray-dense urolith displayed absorption bands in the phosphate region. A single absorption maximum at 930 cm(-1) indicated the presence of inorganic pyrophosphate. A single crystal structure determination of the urolith has been performed. The results obtained are consistent with the formula [K(1.0)Mg(1.5)](4+)[P(2)O(7)](4-.)(H(2)O)(5), which corresponds to 11.5% K, 10.7% Mg and 18.2% P. The structure contains negatively charged slabs of composition MgP(2)O(7) small middle dot(H(2)O)(2)(2-)alternating with positively charged, hydrated Mg(2+) and K(+) ions. The observed P(2)O(7) is that of a distorted eclipsed syn conformation, which is the most common geometry in the solid state according to a statistical analysis of known structural data. A simple numerical descriptor has been derived, classifying observed X(2)O(7) conformations. It is suggested that some genetic enzymatic dysfunction of pyrophosphate-hydrolysing alkaline phosphatase might cause the formation of this unusual urolith.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11941501/