Role of urease in the formation of infection stones: comparison of ureases from different sources.

Bacterial and vegetable ureases were found to differ in certain important respects. For maximal clinical relevance, in vitro studies on the pathogenic role of urease should use whole bacterial cells of Proteus spp., and urease inhibitors should be assessed without preincubation of enzyme with inhibitor. Urease from Proteus morganii was very different from ureases of other species of Proteus; this factor should be taken into account when infections with P. morganii are being treated.