ISSN 2169-3048
International Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology ISSN: 2169-3048 Vol. 1 (7), pp. 188-189, September, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Case Report
A case of Alkaptonuria
B Gayathri, R Sujatha, G Sumitra, M kavitha, D Vijaya, Usha Anand, CV Anand
PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore,Tamilnadu, India. E-mail: [email protected].
Tel: 9444547482.
Received 08 September, 2012; Accepted 28 September, 2012
Abstract
A 63 year old man presented with sudden onset of severe hip pain for the past one month. Physical examination revealed black pigmentation of sclera and blackening of ear lobes. The urine darkened on standing. X- Ray showed degenerative changes in the right hip joint. Biochemical investigations which included urine Benedict’s test and ammoniacal silver nitrate test were positive, suggestive of alkaptonuria. Intra- operative findings also revealed black pigment depositions on the head of the femur. No other complications or systemic abnormalities were detected.
Key words: Alkaptonuria, ochronosis, homogentisic acid, arthritis.