The Incidence and Significance of the Deposition of Calcium Plaques in the Renal Papilla as Observed in the Caucasian and Negro (Bantu) Population in South Africa

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Abstract
Ca deposition in the renal papilla does occur in the South African Negro (Bantu) in a form indistinguishable from that seen in the Caucasian, as described by Randall. The incidence is, however, very much lower. Although Ca plaques occur below the age of 20 and above 80, there is a marked increase in incidence between the ages of 50 and 80 which indicates that age and its associated physiological changes is a very important factor in this condition. The incidence is twice as great in the [male] as in the [female]. Excluding cardicas and arteriosclerotics, Ca plaques are present in as many apparently healthy individuals as in hospital patients. The precipitation of urinary salts on the Ca plaque must have a dietary or metabolic controlling factor, for, although the South African Negro (Bantu) does form plaques, renal calculi are not deposited on these plaques. The deposition of Ca in the renal papilla is a change involving the collagen fibres in the renal papilla as a whole and is not limited to those surrounding the tubule.