Abstract
Purpose: A bacterium, Thiobacillus thiooxidans, oxidizes inorganic sulfur compounds to sulfuric acid to obtain energy for growth. We examined dissolution of urinary stones by the bacteria and studied optimal conditions for the dissolution in human urine. Methods: Thiobacillus thiooxidans (IFO No. 13 701) was purchased from Hakko Kenkyujyo, Co., Osaka, Japan. The bacteria were grown stationary for 7 days at 30 °C in medium. The pH of the medium was changed from pH 4.82 to 1.95 for 28 days. Growth of the bacteria was also examined in human urine by addition of different amounts of sodium thiosulfite. The dissolution of human urinary stones was examined in the bladder of Wistar rat containing the bacteria (1 × 108) for 7 days. 20 ml of 5 % sodium thiosulfite were injected intraperitoneally once a day. Histological changes of urinary tracts and blood test were also examined. As a control, two rats were examined in the same methods without the bacteria. Results: The number of bacteria was increased in human urine depending on the concentration of sodium thiosulfite. Among different kinds of urinary stones, calcium phosphate stone was most dissolved, 78 % reduction of dry weight in the rat bladder. Calcium oxalate, uric acid and magnesium phosphate stones were not well dissolved. But the stone weights in the control rats were increased twice. Slight inflammation was found in the rat bladder. There were no abnormal findings in the blood test. Conclusions: Thiobacillus thiooxidans can be used for dissolution of urinary stones. This new technique may be useful for dissolution of fragments after ESWL and crystals covered by a urinary stent. Optimal conditions and safety methods should be developed for clinical use.
Key words
Chemolysis - urinary calculi - Thiobacillus thiooxidans - sulfur-oxidizing bacteria
References
-
1
Maeda T.
Nickel inhibition of the growth of a sulfur-oxidizing bacterium isolated from corroded concrete.
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem.
1996;
60
626-629
-
2
Parker C D.
The corrosion of concrete, 1. The isolation of a species of bacterium associated with the corrosion of concrete exposed to atmosphere containing hydrogen sulphide.
Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci.
1945;
23
81-90
-
3
Parker C D.
The corrosion of concrete, 2. The function of Thiobaccilus concretivous (nov. spec.) in the corrosion of concrete exposed to atmosphere containing hydrogen sulphide.
Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci.
1945;
23
91-98
-
4
Parker C D.
Species of sulphur bacteria associated with the corrosion of concrete.
Nature.
1947;
159
439-440
-
5
Sand W.
Importance of hydrogen sulfide, thiosulfate, and methylmercaptan for growth of thiobacilli during simulation of concrete corrosion.
Apple Environ Microbiol.
1987;
53
1645-1648
-
6
Masau R J, Oh J K, Suzuki I.
Mechanism of oxidation of inorganic sulfur compounds by thiosulfate-grown Thiobacillus thiooxidans.
Can J Microbiol.
2001;
47
348-358
-
7
Suzuki I, Lee D, Mackay B, Harahuc L, Oh J K.
Effect of various ions, pH, and osmotic pressure on oxidation of elemental sulfur by Thiobacillus thiooxidans.
Appl Environ Microbiol.
1999;
65
5163-5168
-
8
Takeuchi T L, Suzuki I.
Effect of pH on sulfite oxidation by Thiobacillus thiooxidans cells with sulfurous acid or sulfur dioxide as a possible substrate.
J Bacteriol.
1994;
176
913-916
-
9
Schippers A, Sand W.
Bacterial leaching of metal sulfides proceeds by two indirect mechanisms via thiosulfate or via polysulfides and sulfur.
Appl Environ Microbiol.
1999;
65
319-321
-
10
Stubner S, Wind T, Conrad R.
Sulfur oxidation in rice field soil: activity, enumeration, isolation and characterization of thiosulfate-oxidizing bacteria.
Syst Appl Microbiol.
1998;
21
569-578
-
11
Durand P.
Primary structure of the 16S rRNA gene of Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans by direct sequencing of PCR amplified gene and its similarity with that of other moderately themophilic chemolithotrophic bacteria.
System Appl Microbiol.
1996;
19
360-364
-
12
Vasquez M.
Chemolithotrophic bacteria in copper ores leached at high sulfuric acid concentration.
Appl Environ Microbiol.
1997;
63
332-334
-
13
Takeuchi T L, Suzuki I.
Effect of sulfite oxidation by Thiobacillus thiooxidans cell with sulfurous acid or sulfur dioxide as a possible substrate.
J Bacter.
1994;
176
913-916
-
14
Crowell A J.
Cystine nephrolithiasis: Report of case with roentgenographic demonstration of disintegration of stone by alkalinization.
Surg Gynecol Obstet.
1924;
38
87-91
-
15
Mulvaney W P.
The clinical use of Renacidin in urinary calcifications.
J Urol.
1960;
84
206-212
-
16
Kuwahara M, Kambe K, Takahashi K. et al .
Effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-4 sodium solution on the surface of renal calculi and the uroepithelium.
J Urol.
1978;
120
11-15
Shunji Nishio
Department of Urology · Ehime University School of Medicine
Ehime
Japan
Phone: +81-89-960-5356
Fax: +81-89-960-5358
Email: nishio@m.ehime-u.ac.jp
