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. 1989 May;27(5):915–921. doi: 10.1128/jcm.27.5.915-921.1989

Bacteriological and electron microscopy examination of brown pigment stones.

J W Leung 1, J Y Sung 1, J W Costerton 1
PMCID: PMC267454  PMID: 2745700

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.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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