Elastosis perforans serpiginosa (EPS) is a rare reactive perforating dermatosis that is characterized by the transepidermal elimination of abnormal elastic fibers. Penicillamine, which is one of the clear triggers for EPS, is a heavy metal chelator that is primarily used for disorders such as cystinuria and Wilson's disease. It may cause alterations in the dermal elastic tissue such as pseudo-pseudoxanthoma elasticum, acquired cutis laxa, EPS and anetoderma. Herein we present a case of cutis laxa and EPS in a 34-year-old man who was previously on a long-term, high-dose of penicillamine for Wilson's disease. The combination of EPS and cutis laxa induced by penicillamine has rarely been reported and we report the first such case in Korea.
Adult ; Anetoderma ; Cutis Laxa ; Cystinuria ; Elastic Tissue ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; Humans ; Korea ; Penicillamine ; Skin Diseases

Penicillamine dermatopathy refers to the characteristic hemorrhagic skin lesions found in persons receiving long-term penicillamine therapy for either Wilson's disease or cystinuria. These lesions are thought to develop as a result of faulty collagen and elastin synthesis. We described a 31-year-old woman with Wilson's disease who developed mild pruritic grouped matchhead-sized cream-colored papules on the dark reddish plaques on both knees and elbows.
Adult ; Collagen ; Cystinuria ; Elastin ; Elbow ; Female ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; Humans ; Knee ; Penicillamine* ; Skin

In an outpatient setting, 107 patients were evaluated using a single 24-hour specimen with StoneRisk Diagnostic Profile on a random diet before medication and treatment and updated the classification of nephrolithiasis. For specific subclassification of hypercalciuric calcium(Ca) nephrolithiasis, calcium and sodium restricted diet and sodium cellulose phosphate screening test were underwent. Abnormal urinary biochemistry was classified into one or more of 20 etiologic categories. A single diagnosis was documented in 37(34.6%) patients and the remaining 65.4% had more than one diagnosis. Hypercalciuric Ca nephrolithiasis occurred in 41 (38.3%) patients and specific subclassification of 6 variants was performed. In this study, hypercalciuric Ca nephrolithiasis occurred less frequently in comparison to the incidence of U.S.A. reported by Dr. Pak. Hyperuricosuric Ca nephrolithiasis (HUCN) and gouty diathesis(GD) accounted for 47(43.9%) and 8(7.4%) patients, respectively. Hyperoxaluric Ca nephrolithiasis was in 25(23.4%) patients and all were dietary origin following an oxalate-restricted diet. Hypocitraturic Ca nephrolithiasis was seen in 51(47.6%) patients in idiopathic variant. Hypocitraturia due to RTA and chronic diarrheal syndrome occurred in 1(0.9%) and 2(1.8%) patients. Hypomagnesiuric Ca nephrolithiasis and acquired problem of low urine volume(<1 L/d) were accounted in 3(2.8%) and 13(12.2%) patients, respectively. Infection stones or cystinuria were not detected. No metabolic abnormality was found in 12(11.2%) patients. High sodium take was detected in 60(56.1%) patients, reflecting that Koreans take high sodium containing foods. We think that StoneRisk Diagnostic Profile using a single 24-hour urine specimen is very useful in detecting stone-forming risk factors and providing specific therapeutic guidelines. Additionally, recurrence associated with high cost of medical care can be reduced through adequate diagnostic evaluation as part of the treatment regimen.
Biochemistry ; Calcium ; Cellulose ; Classification ; Cystinuria ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; Nephrolithiasis* ; Outpatients ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Sodium

Cystinuria is an autosomal recessive inherited defect in renal tubular reabsorption of four amino acids, cystine, ornithine, lysine and arginine. Homozygotes were identified by the formation of urinary tract calculi composed of cystine and by gross hyperexcretion of above mentioned four amino acids. Urinary tract calculi composed primarily of cystine are rare in adults and children. These are usually pure and found exclusively in patients with cystinuria. Herein we report on a 4 and 3/12 years old male child with a right renal stone composed primarily of cystine which was confirmed by chemical analysis method postoperatively. After discharge he has been treated with D-penicillamine, large fluid intake and conversion of urine pH.
Adult ; Amino Acids ; Arginine ; Calculi ; Child* ; Cystine* ; Cystinuria ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lysine ; Male ; Ornithine ; Penicillamine ; Urinary Tract

Urinary tract calculi composed primarily of cystine are rare in adults and children. These are usually pure and found exclusively in patients with cystinuria. Cystinuria is an inherited defect in renal tubular reabsorption of four amino acids, cystine, ornithine, lysine, and arginine. Herein we report on a 2 and 1/12 years old male child with a right renal stone and multiple bladder stones composed primarily of cystine which were confirmed by X-ray diffraction method post-operatively.
Adult ; Amino Acids ; Arginine ; Calculi ; Child ; Cystine* ; Cystinuria ; Humans ; Lysine ; Male ; Ornithine ; Urinary Bladder Calculi ; Urinary Tract ; X-Ray Diffraction

Penicillamine is a component of the penicillin molecule which was identified in the urine of patients with chronic liver disease who were receiving penicillin for the treament of intercurrent infections. Walshe demostrated its effectiveness as copper chelating agent and introduced it into the treatment of Wilson's disease. In addition, it has been shown to be effective in treatment of cystinuria, heavy metal poisoning, and rheumatoid arthritis. Levamisole is a three-ringed molecule which has been used as broad-spectrum antihelminthic drug. Levamisole is capable of T cell immune enhancer and has variable effects on antibody production, Since immune enhancer may affect multiple cell types, either directly or indirectly, and may operate on the adenylcyclase-cAMP-prostaglandin system, the results of treatment may be complex. Levamisole has been shown to be effective in rheumatoid arthritis by several study. We analysed the 29 rheumatoid arthritis patients who were treated at Deartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Chung Ang University Hospital from June, 1978 to June, 1982; among them 17 recieving penicillamine and 12 recieving levamisole. The results were as follows: 1. There were statistically significant improvement in ESR. But there were decrease in mean WBC and platelet counts in patients recieving penicillamine or levamisole. Hemoglobin was not affected. 2. Side effects led to withdrawal of treatment in 8(47%) patients in the penicillamine group and 5(42%) in the levamisole group. 3. In 17 patients having penicillamine treatment, one patient had complete remission(8%).
Antibody Formation ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Copper ; Cystinuria ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; Humans ; Levamisole ; Liver Diseases ; Orthopedics ; Penicillamine ; Penicillins ; Platelet Count ; Poisoning

Cystinuria is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by impaired transport of cystine and dibasic amino acids in the proximal renal tubule, resulting in the formation of cystine stones. It is believed to account for about 1% of all kidney stones and up to 10% of pediatric stones. Here we report a case of cystinuria with multiple renal stones confirmed by genetic mutational analysis. An 8-month-old girl was admitted to AMC with persistent fever and multiple renal stones. A renal sonogram showed multiple stones at the right renal pelvis, right distal ureter, and left renal medullary portion. An approximately 1 cm renal stone was extracted spontaneously, and stone analysis revealed it to be composed entirely of cystine. Cystinuria was confirmed by increased urine dibasic amino acid levels, including cysteine, and genetic mutational analysis showed the patient to be a homozygote for the pathogenic c. 1820del (p.L607fs) of SLC3A1. Despite treatment with oral hydration and urinary alkalinization, and restricted intake of animal protein, the stones increased in size and number. The patient has since been treated with tiopronin.
Amino Acids, Diamino ; Animals ; Cysteine ; Cystine ; Cystinuria* ; Female* ; Fever ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Infant* ; Kidney Calculi ; Kidney Pelvis ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; Tiopronin ; Ureter ; Urolithiasis

The heterodimeric amino acid transporter family is a subfamily of SLC7 solute transporter family which includes 14-transmembrane cationic amino acid transporters and 12-transmembrane heterodimeric amino acid transporters. The members of heterodimeric amino acid transporter family are linked via a disulfide bond to single membrane spanning glycoproteins such as 4F2hc (4F2 heavy chain) and rBAT (related to b0, +-amino acid transporter). Six members are associated with 4F2hc and one is linked to rBAT. Two additional members were identified as ones associated with unknown heavy chains. The members of heterodimeric amino acid transporter family exhibit diverse substrate selectivity and are expressed in variety of tissues. They play variety of physiological roles including epithelial transport of amino acids as well as the roles to provide cells in general with amino acids for cellular nutrition. The dysfunction or hyperfunction of the members of the heterodimeric amino acid transporter family are involved in some diseases and pathologic conditions. The genetic defects of the renal and intestinal transporters b0, +AT/BAT1 (b0, +-type amino acid transporter/b0, +-type amino acid transporter 1) and y+LAT1 (y+L-type amino acid transporter 1) result in the amino aciduria with sever clinical symptoms such as cystinuria and lysin uric protein intolerance, respectively. LAT1 is proposed to be involved in the progression of malignant tumor. xCT (x-C-type transporter) functions to protect cells against oxidative stress, while its over-function may be damaging neurons leading to the exacerbation of brain damage after brain ischemia. Because of broad substrate selectivity, system L transporters such as LAT1 transport amino acid-related compounds including L-Dopa and function as a drug transporter. System L also interacts with some environmental toxins with amino acid-related structure such as cysteine-conjugated methylmercury. Therefore, these transporter would be candidates for drug targets based on new therapeutic strategies.
Amino Acid Transport Systems* ; Amino Acid Transport Systems, Basic ; Amino Acids ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia ; Cystinuria ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Levodopa ; Membranes ; Neurons ; Oxidative Stress

We report three cases of cystinuria, presenting with urinary stones. A 2-year-old girl presented with urinary difficulty, hematuria, dysuria of sudden onset, and her 7-month-old younger brother also was presented with urinary difficulty, irritability on urination & stone passage. Other 6-month-old boy was admitted due to sudden onset anuria. They had radioopague renal & ureter stones and stone analysis revealed mixed cystine stones. The diagnosis of cystinuria was confirmed metabolic studies and stone analysis. Lrinary amino acid analysis showed excessive excretion of dibasic amino acids(cystine, ornithine, lysine, arginine). And they all had hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria. They were treated with combination of percutaneous lithotripsy for large obstructing senes a nd an oral drug therapy with sodium bicarbonate for rendering the urine more alkaline, and alpha-mercaptopropionylglycine(ThiolaR). This form of treatment was sucessful in our three cases with elimination of recurrent nephrolithiasis, but in one patient, nephrotic syndrome possibly caused by ThiolaR was developed. The nephrotic syndrome was recovered spontaneously after cessation of Thiola. A review of literatures was also attempted briefly.
Anuria ; Child, Preschool ; Cystine ; Cystinuria* ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Dysuria ; Female ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hypercalciuria ; Infant ; Lithotripsy ; Lysine ; Male ; Nephrolithiasis ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Ornithine ; Siblings ; Sodium Bicarbonate ; Tiopronin ; Ureter ; Urinary Calculi ; Urination

PURPOSE: Urinary lithiasis is uncommon in children, however, it may lead to chronic renal insufficiency and even end stage renal disease. The etiology of stone formation in children is largely unknown; although the most common causes are known to be associated with congenital anomalies of the genito-urinary(G-U) tract, urinary tract infections(UTI), and metabolic diseases. METHODS: A total of 73 children(male:female=42:31, mean age 6.6+/-5.3 years) presented with urinary lithiasis between Sep. 1998 and Jul. 2007 at Seoul National University Children's Hospital. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The most common presenting symptoms were gross hematuria(28/73, 38%) and flank or abdominal pain(23/73, 32%). The stones were located in the upper urinary tract in 48 patients(66%), in the bladder in 18(24%), and in both the bladder and upper urinary tract in 2 (3%). Congenital anomalies of the G-U tract with/without UTI were detected in 30 children (41%), hypercalciuria with/without hypercalcemia in 15(20%), and other metabolic diseases in 8(11%). In 17 patients(23%), no underlying cause of stone formation was detected. The majority of stones were infected stones(24/36, 67%), which were followed by calcium stones(8/36, 22%), uric acid stones(3/36, 8%), and cystine stones(1/36, 3%). Thirty-four patients(46%) underwent surgical procedures and/or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for stone removal, and 13(18%) passed stones spontaneously with/without medical management. Stones recurred in 6 patients(8%): 4 with neurogenic bladder augmented by ileocystoplasty, 1 with cystinuria, and 1 with unknown etiology. CONCLUSION: The common causes of urinary lithiasis in children were congenital anomalies of the G-U tract with/without UTI and metabolic disorders including hypercalciuria/hypercalcemia. For the management of stones, minimally invasive procedures should be chosen on the basis of accompanying symptoms and the composition, locations and etiology of stones.
Calcium ; Child* ; Cystine ; Cystinuria ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hypercalciuria ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Lithotripsy ; Medical Records ; Metabolic Diseases ; Recurrence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Uric Acid ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; Urinary Tract ; Urolithiasis*