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Updated: Oct 28, 2026

Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Published on: February 9, 2021
Identification of crystals in kidneys of AIDS patients treated with foscarnet
L Maurice-Estepa1, M Daudon, C Katlama
1Service de Biochimie A and INSERM U 423, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Three acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients given foscarnet to treat cytomegalovirus retinitis developed renal failure with crystal deposits within the renal glomeruli. We identified these crystals as a mixture of sodium salt, calcium salt, and a mixed salt containing both sodium and calcium ions. This composition has not been previously reported. Foscarnet can complex available ionized calcium and secondarily precipitate in glomeruli. The percentage of complexing depends on calcium concentration in serum and the poor calcium salt solubility.
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