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Published in: Current Urology Reports 5/2019

01-05-2019 | Respiratory Microbiota | Endourology (P Mucksavage and B Somani, Section Editors)

Understanding the Link Between Gut Microbiome and Urinary Stone Disease

Authors: Justin A. Lee, Joshua M. Stern

Published in: Current Urology Reports | Issue 5/2019

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

With recent advances in sequencing technologies and increasing research into the gut microbiome (GMB), studies have revealed associations between the GMB and urinary stone disease (USD). We sought to determine whether the evidence pointed towards a few specific gut bacteria or the broader GMB network is seemingly responsible for this relationship.

Recent Findings

Initially, Oxalobacter formigenes (OF) was pursued as the main link between GMB and USD given its ability to degrade oxalate in the gut. However, the latest studies consistently suggest that the entire GMB is much more likely to be involved in handling oxalate absorption and other risk factors for urinary stone formation, rather than just a few microbiota.

Summary

The GMB has complex networks that are likely involved in the pathophysiology of USD, although the causal mechanisms remain unclear. With increasing interest and research, potential modalities that act on the GMB may help to prevent incidence of USD.
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Metadata
Title
Understanding the Link Between Gut Microbiome and Urinary Stone Disease
Authors
Justin A. Lee
Joshua M. Stern
Publication date
01-05-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Urology Reports / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 1527-2737
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-019-0882-8

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