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Urea-splitting urinary tract infection contributing to hyperammonemic encephalopathy

Nature Clinical Practice Urology volume 4, pages 455–458 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Background We present a case of severe neurological symptoms caused by hyperammonemia, secondary to a urinary tract infection with urea-splitting bacteria.

Investigations Blood analysis, urinalysis, urine culture, abdominal ultrasonography, cystography, CT.

Diagnosis Hyperammonemia as a result of urinary tract infection with urea-spliting bacteria.

Management Desobstruction of the urinary tract and bladder or pouch rinsing, antibiotics, reduction of the dietary and endogenous nitrogen load, and endogenous nitrogen breakdown. Identification, prevention and treatment of underlying causes.

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Figure 1: Cystography showing marked bladder distension

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. M Albersen graduated as an MD in 2007 at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, and started his residency in Urology in Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,

    Maarten Albersen

  2. S Joniau is a full-time staff member in the Department of Urology, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.,

    Steven Joniau

  3. H Van Poppel is the Chairman of the Department of Urology at the University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,

    Hein Van Poppel

  4. P-J Cuyle is a resident in internal medicine, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.,

    Pieter-Jan Cuyle

  5. Department of Pathophysiology at the Catholic University of Leuven and Board Certified Internist and emergency physician in charge of the Emergency Department of Gasthuisberg University Hospital, DC Knockaert is Professor of Internal Medicine, Leuven, Belgium.,

    Daniel C Knockaert

  6. W Meersseman works as a critical care physician in the Medical Intensive Care Unit of University Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.,

    Wouter Meersseman

Authors
  1. Maarten Albersen
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  2. Steven Joniau
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  3. Hein Van Poppel
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  4. Pieter-Jan Cuyle
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  5. Daniel C Knockaert
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  6. Wouter Meersseman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven Joniau.

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Competing interests

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Albersen, M., Joniau, S., Van Poppel, H. et al. Urea-splitting urinary tract infection contributing to hyperammonemic encephalopathy. Nat Rev Urol 4, 455–458 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpuro0877

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpuro0877

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