Haematuria associated with ureaplasma infection in sickle-cell trait
Savige, J.A.; Birch, D.F.; Fairley, K.F.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine 12(4): 293-295
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-8291 PMID: 6958241 Document Number: 190427
Phase-contrast microscopy of the urine of a young Greek woman with macroscopic haematuria showed sickling of the red blood cells. The diagnosis of sickle-cell trait was confirmed with haemoglobin electrophoresis, and an intravenous pyelogram demonstrated the typical medullary cavities seen in this disease. Urine collected from the left ureter, from which the haematuria originated, grew 10(6) Ureaplasma urealyticum/ml. With Doxycycline therapy the macroscopic haematuria and the sickled cells in the urine resolved, but red cell casts and an excessive number of glomerular red blood cells persisted in the urine, confirming the presence of glomerulonephritis. Ureaplasma urealyticum has not previously been described in association with a sickling episode nor with the scarring of a sickle cell kidney. The possible role of this infection is discussed.