Exploring the relationship of supernumerary recurrent renal calculi formation and tick-borne infections: a case report

• Published in: Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology Vol. 14; p. 1194307
• Main Authors: Paz, Dean C, Gunther, Abigael C, Higham, Michael C, Stephenson, Lynne G, Laporta, Anthony J, Gubler, K Dean, Ryznar, Rebecca J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 2024
• Subjects: Bartonella; Cacchi-Ricci disease; medullary sponge kidney; nephrolithiasis; renal calculi; tick-borne infections; Bartonella; Borrelia; medullary sponge kidney; Cacchi-Ricci disease; nephrolithiasis; renal calculi; tick-borne infections; Babesia
• ISSN: 2235-2988; 2235-2988
• DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1194307

A 51-year-old male with a history of Cacchi-Ricci disease and long-standing infection with various species of
presented with recurrent symptoms of right-sided flank pain. Numerous renal calculi were identified on imaging. The etiology of the calculi had not been previously elucidated. Symptoms intermittently date back to 2002 when uric acid stones were identified. Subsequent calculi analysis revealed calcium oxalate stones. Despite the commonality of nephrolithiasis in patients with Cacchi-Ricci disease, the extreme number of calculi and recurrent presentation of symptoms persisted despite a plethora of medical evaluations, dietary changes, and hereditary testing. This case raises questions of etiology including possible immune deficiency and whether his uncommon microbial history contributes to recurrent stone formation.