Struvite crystal formation by Corynebacterium group D2 in human urine and its prevention by acetohydroxamic acid.

After 24 h incubation of human urine experimentally inoculated with Corynebacterium group D2, struvite crystals appeared with an increase in pH and ammonium concentration as well as a decrease in the urea concentration. These changes were prevented by the addition of variable concentrations of acetohydroxamic acid. From these results it seems that the prevention of such crystal formation by Corynebacterium group D2 could be due to the inhibition of its urease activity besides acetohydroxamic acid having a significant antimicrobial activity, principally when tested in human urine. These effects were dose-related.