Encrusted cystitis is caused by:
**Question:** Encrusted cystitis is caused by:
**Core Concept:** Encrusted cystitis, also known as Vanishing Urosepsis, is a rare and severe complication of chronic urinary tract infections (UTI) characterized by the formation of calcium and phosphate crystals in the bladder wall. It primarily affects immunocompromised individuals with recurrent UTIs.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** Encrusted cystitis is caused by a specific bacterial strain, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) or Klebsiella pneumoniae, which produce urease enzyme. Urease produces ammonia from urea, leading to increased pH and formation of ammonium and hydroxide ions. These ions precipitate calcium and phosphate from urine, causing the formation of calcium and phosphate crystals on the bladder wall, which eventually leads to encrustation.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. This option refers to an unrelated condition and is incorrect because it does not explain the formation of encrustation due to urease enzyme production by bacteria.
B. This option refers to a different bacterial infection and is incorrect because it does not explain the urease enzyme production causing encrustation.
C. This option refers to another bacterial infection and is incorrect because it does not explain the urease enzyme production causing encrustation.
D. This option refers to another bacterial infection and is incorrect because it does not explain the urease enzyme production causing encrustation.
**Clinical Pearl:** Encrusted cystitis is a severe complication in immunocompromised patients and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications such as obstruction, tissue damage, and even perforation of the bladder wall. Treatment involves broad-spectrum antibiotics, cystoscopic removal of encrustations, and addressing the underlying cause of immunocompromised status.
**Correct Answer:** D. Encrusted cystitis is caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, another bacterial strain that produces urease enzyme leading to increased pH and encrustation.