Study of Bacterial Aetiogenicity of Pigment Gall Stones by Culture of Nidus of Calculus and correlation between Stone Culture and Bile Culture

Background: Calculus disease of biliary tract is a major public health problem in north Kashmir and pigment gall stones form a significant portion of gall stones in our region. In this study we prospectively studied 84 cases of pigment gall stones to examine the role of bacteria in the formation of these stones. Objective: To study the bacterial aetiology of pigment gall stones. Methods: A hospital based prospective study of 84 consecutive cases of pigment gall stones was done from December 2012 to November 2019 and the results of stone culture and bile culture were statistically analysed. Informed consent was obtained from all the patients in the study group. Results: A total of 84 cases studied included 32 (38.09%) male patients and 52(61.91%) females patients. The median age was 48.5 years and mean age was 46.2 years. Of 84 patients, 21(25.00%) had black pigment stones and 63 (75.00%) had brown pigment stones. 61 (72.62%) patients presented with biliary colic and 24(28.57%) patients had chronic cholecystitis . Bile culture was positive in 46 (54.76%) patients and stone culture was positive in 70(83.33%) patients. Conlusion: A strong association was observed between stone culture and bile culture results (showing similar beta-glucronidase producing bacteria) and pigment stone formation.