DefinePK

Abstract

Introduction


Malakoplakia is a rare granulomatous inflammatory disease with a female to male ratio of 2:11. A total of 200 cases have been reported in the literature2. This entity is currently believed to represent an acquired defect in the lysosomal activity of monocytes3, most commonly occur­ring in the urinary tract and is associated with a variety of infectious agents, notably gram negative bacilli4. E. coli was identified in 7 of 8 available urine cultures out of the 9 cases of genito-urinary malakoplakia in a 25 years experience. Out of the 9 patients in the study, 2 were immune compromised1. Malakoplakia has been found in almost all parts of the body and cases have been described in association with rectal and prostatic adenocarcinomas, renal transplants, systemic lupus erythematosus, adrenogenital syndrome, a case of pemphigus vulgaris on im­munosuppressive therapy and with renal polycystosis. Radiographically, malakoplakia may simulate other in­flammatory processes or even a neoplasm5. A variety of therapeutic approaches can be chosen, medical, surgical or a combination. The type of surgical intervention depends mainly on the extent and location of the disease.