Aggregation of Struvite, Carbonate Apatite, and <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> as a Key Factor of Infectious Urinary Stone Formation

Abstract

Struvite and carbonate apatite are the main components of the so-called infectious urinary stones, which are the result of the activity of microorganisms producing urease, mainly from Proteus species. The aggregation of precipitating particles and bacteria is suspected to be one of the primary causes for urinary stone formation. In the present study struvite, carbonate apatite, and bacteria are characterized by zeta potential (ζ), and on this basis their aggregation in artificial urine is studied. The results demonstrate that struvite, carbonate apatite, and bacteria show negative ζ. Additionally, on the basis of the results it may be stated that from these three components carbonate apatite has the greatest ability to aggregate.