Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026

Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Published on: February 9, 2021
Atazanavir-induced urine crystals demonstrated by infrared spectroscopic analysis
Isao Inagaki1, Mariko Adachi, Hiroyasu Ito
1Departments of Informative Clinical Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan.
Abstract:
Atazanavir sulfate, an azapeptide inhibitor of HIV protease, has been associated with urolithiasis. A 60-year-old man with atazanavir-induced urinary sediment crystals verified by infrared spectroscopic analysis is described. He had been receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV infection and also had a history of urinary lithiasis and been undergoing urinalysis once every month. Needle-shaped crystals were seen in his urine sediment and infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed that these were atazanavir crystals. Because the presence of the crystals in urine do not always reveal an abnormality in the urinary test strip analysis, the urinary sediment needed to be observed microscopically in order to prevent future urolithiasis and renal failure in this HIV patient receiving atazanavir.
Related Concept Videos
Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Infrared Spectroscopy: Overview
The ATR process begins by directing a beam...
Urine Studies I: Urinalysis
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Interference
Spectral interference occurs when signals from other elements or molecules overlap with the analyte signal, falsely elevating or masking the analyte's absorbance. This interference can be corrected using Zeeman,...
X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal...
Urine: Physical and Chemical Properties
The concentration of these solutes varies, with urea being the most abundant nitrogenous waste product. Other solutes include sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphate,...

