Bacteria Found in Noninfectious Kidney Stones
Scientists have made a significant discovery: bacteria can hide in what are known as ‘noninfectious’ kidney stones.
These tough formations, made from crystallized chemicals present in urine, typically arise from low fluid intake or a concentration of minerals and chemicals. Although most kidney stones are deemed noninfectious once they’ve been passed, this assumption is being challenged.
A research team from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has uncovered that calcium oxalate stones—the most prevalent type—actually contain bacteria. It turns out these stones have layers of bacteria within their structure.
“This finding upends the long-standing belief that these stones form purely through chemical and physical processes. Instead, it indicates that bacteria can inhabit these stones and may even play a role in their creation,” remarks Kymora Scotland, a urologist at UCLA.
The study points to new potential treatment options that could focus on the microbial environment within kidney stones.
Interestingly, the research findings imply that recurring kidney stones might be linked to a bacterial infection in the kidney, ureter, or bladder. If that infection is addressed, it could lead to a decrease in kidney stones.
Utilizing advanced microscopy techniques, the researchers found both structural and chemical evidence of bacteria in calcium oxalate stones from human patients. This was true even for individuals without urinary tract infections.
“We identified a new mechanism behind stone formation that might help clarify why kidney stones are so common,” adds Scotland. “This could also shed light on the relationship between frequent urinary tract infections and recurring kidney stone formation, offering insights for future treatments.”
With approximately one in eleven people experiencing kidney stones in their lifetime—and over 70% of these cases being calcium oxalate stones—this discovery might necessitate revisions to how such conditions are treated.
The study has been published in PNAS.
