Bacteria Found Inside Kidney Stones

A groundbreaking study has revealed the presence of bacteria within calcium oxalate kidney stones, the most common type. For the first time, researchers found structural and chemical evidence of bacteria as part of the stones' internal structure, even in patients without active urinary tract infections. This discovery fundamentally challenges the traditional understanding that kidney stones form exclusively through chemical and physical processes.

This novel insight suggests that bacteria may play a significant role in the formation and recurrence of kidney stones. The findings open the door to developing new therapeutic approaches focused on the microbial environment within these stones. If bacterial infections in the kidney, ureter, or bladder contribute to recurrent stone formation, treating these infections could potentially reduce future occurrences. As many as one in 11 people experience kidney stones in their lifetime.