Washington, March 5 (SANA) A recent American study has found that common kidney stones, especially those composed of calcium oxalate, may contain live bacteria embedded in their structure.
According to a report published on the ScienceAlert website, the research, published in the journal PNAS, used advanced imaging techniques including electron and fluorescence microscopy to identify bacteria and biofilms within the crystal layers, rather than only on their surface as previously believed.
Researchers say the presence of these bacteria may help initiate the crystallization process before they become trapped within the growing stone. The discovery may also explain the well-known link between recurrent urinary tract infections and an increased risk of kidney stones.
The findings suggest new treatments could target the microbial environment inside kidney stones. However, researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to better understand the interaction between bacteria and calcium crystals.
Kidney stones are a common health condition worldwide and often cause severe pain and complications that may require medical treatment.
