Semen uric acid crystals in azoospermia linked to Sertoli cell­only syndrome: A rare case report.

The occurrence of crystals in semen is rare, with spermine phosphate crystals being the only type commonly described. Uric acid crystal formation is significantly influenced by pH levels. The present study reported a rare case of uric acid crystals in the semen of a patient with azoospermia associated with Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS). A 28-year-old male with a four-year history of primary infertility underwent clinical assessment, including a normal physical examination with small testes. Seminal fluid analysis revealed abnormal uric acid crystals. Elevated follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin levels were observed. The diagnosis of SCOS was confirmed through testicular sperm aspiration. Azoospermia is a medical condition characterized by the absence of sperm in the semen, specifically the absence of sperm in the pellet obtained after centrifugation. It is classified into two primary types: Obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia. Non-obstructive azoospermia is subdivided into three categories: SCOS, hypospermatogenesis and maturation arrest. The occurrence of SCOS in azoospermic males ranges from 26.3 to 57.8%. The diagnosis of azoospermia with SCOS can be achieved through the analysis of multiple semen samples, medical history, physical examination, hormonal analysis, histopathological examination and genetic testing. The presence of uric acid crystals in seminal fluid was first reported in patients with chronic prostatitis symptoms in 2005. Despite the rarity of crystals in semen, uric acid crystals were found in the semen of an azoospermic male with SCOS.

Predictive value of inflammatory markers for the spontaneous passage of Ureteral stones: a comprehensive systematic review with meta analysis.

Urolithiasis is a common disease that affects approximately one-fifth of the global population. This systematic review explores the predictive role of inflammatory markers for the spontaneous passage of ureteral stones. The literature was systematically searched via Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Science Direct, CINAHL, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases to identify papers published until 2023. Overall, 26 articles were identified, of which 10 were excluded. The remaining 16 papers reported 2,695 patients (1,723 males and 972 females), with 1,654 (61.37%) experiencing spontaneous stone passage (SSP) and 1,041 (38.63%) not experiencing it (non-SSP). Stones located in the upper part of the ureter were less likely to pass spontaneously (152/959, 15.94% in the SSP group vs. 180/546, 32.48% in the non-SSP group; p < 0.001). Mid-ureteral stones were present in 180/959 (18.75%) of the SSP group compared to 84/546 (14.52%) of the non-SSP group (p = 0.0974). Lower ureteral stones were more likely to pass spontaneously, with 627/959 (63.31%) in the SSP group compared to 282/546 (49.36%) in the non-SSP group (p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between most inflammatory markers and SSP (p > 0.05). However, procalcitonin levels were lower in the SSP group compared to the non-SSP group (132.7 ± 28.1 vs. 207 ± 145.1, respectively) (p < 0.001). This systematic review has revealed that except procalcitonin, most inflammatory markers do not offer significant predictive capability for ureteral SSP.

Epstein-Barr virus and Burkitt's lymphoma. Associations in Iraqi Kurdistan and twenty-two countries assessed in the International Incidence of Childhood Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) has worldwide variations in incidence that are related to the age of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This study examined the age-specific incidence rate (ASIR) of BL and community EBV seropositivity in Iraqi Kurdistan and compared results with data from countries tabulated in the International Incidence of Childhood Cancer volume 3 (IICC-3). METHODS: The ASIR (95% confidence intervals) of BL in Sulaimani Governorate of Iraqi Kurdistan were calculated for the years 2010-2020. Specimens from 515 outpatients were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies to EBV viral capsid antigen. RESULTS: In Sulaimani, 84% of BL occurred under 20 years of age, with an ASIR of 6.2 (4.7-7.7) per million children. This ASIR was not significantly different than that of Egypt, Morocco, Israel, Spain, or France. It was slightly higher than the ASIR of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany and markedly higher than for Asia and South Africa. In Africa and much of Asia, early childhood EBV exposure predominates, with nearly all children being infected by 5 years of age. In Sulaimani, just over 50% of children were EBV seropositive at 3 years old and 90% seropositivity was reached at 15 years of age. In Europe and North America, seropositivity is commonly delayed until adolescence or young adulthood and adult predominates over childhood BL. CONCLUSION: In the Middle East, childhood BL is relatively common and adult BL is rare. In Sulaimani, EBV seropositivity increases progressively throughout childhood and reaches 92% at mid-adolescence. This may reflect the Mid East more widely. We suggest that the high childhood and low adult BL rates may be a regional effect of a pattern of EBV exposure intermediate between early childhood and adolescent and young adult infections.