It is a disease involving the defective transepithelial transport of cystine
and dibasic amino acids in the
kidney and intestine,
and is one of many causes of kidney stones. If not treated properly, the disease could cause serious damage to the kidneys and surrounding organs, and in some rare cases death. The stones may be identified by a positive nitroprusside cyanide test. The crystals are usually hexagonal, translucent, white.