title: Bacteriological and electron microscopy examination of brown pigment stones.
abstract: Bacteriological and morphological studies of 38 brown pigment common duct stones were performed. Stone cultures were positive for bacteria in 80.5% of those studied. Enterococci were the most common organisms that were isolated. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of bacteria in 84.2% of the stones. The bacteria were seen embedded within an amorphous matrix in alternating layers of flakelike crystals. Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria surrounded by a ruthenium red-stained exopolysaccharide material. Results of the bacteriological and morphological studies confirmed the close relationship between the presence of bacteria and the development of brown pigment stones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Costerton
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000209:etiology*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D042882:Gallstones / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning