Ureases are multi-subunit, nickel-containing enzymes that catalyze the hydr
olysis of urea to carbon dioxide and ammonia. This brief review discusses t
he biochemistry and genetics of bacterial ureases and outlines the roles of
urea metabolism in microbial ecology and pathogenesis of some of the princ
iple ureolytic species affecting human health. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiq
ues et medicales Elsevier SAS.