Urolithiasis – Do Ureaplasmas Play a Role in Etiology

 Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by urease-producing organisms, including ureaplasmas, may contribute to urolithiasis formation. We aimed to determine the frequency of Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum among urology hospital patients with urinary stones.

 The study group included 30 men with urolithiasis from Katowice, Poland. Urine samples were examined routinely for bacteria and by RT-PCR for ureaplasma DNA. Statistical analysis was done by chi-square and Fisher test (p<0.05 was statistically significant).

 In patients with urolithiasis, DNAs of Ureaplasma spp. were detected 2 times more frequently (20%) compared with controls (10%). We suggest including the detection of Ureaplasma spp. in the group of patients with urolithiasis and sterile leukocyturia.