Lack of Intestinal Bacterium Linked To Kidney Stones in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Cystic fibrosis patients lack the beneficial intestinal bacterium have higher chances of developing a condition that leads to kidney stones formation due to extensive use of antibiotics. The absence of the organism known as Oxalobacter formigenes is directly linked to the formation of kidney stones.
Earlier, researchers thought cystic fibrosis patients developed kidney stones in connection with intestinal malabsorption problems. Cystic fibrosis, one of the most common genetic diseases among Caucasians, slowly destroys the patient’s lungs through recurrent infections and often affects other vital organs. While kidney function is not greatly altered in these patients, kidney stones are an increasingly common complication as the life expectancy of these patients’ increases. In addition, most of the patients are found to have a hardening of the kidneys from a build-up of calcium and oxalate.
Cystic fibrosis patients have a very low frequency of colonization with these intestinal bacteria. Oxalobacter formigenes breaks down calcium oxalate before it can form crystals that evolve into kidney stones. Oxalate is found in high concentrations in many foods, including asparagus, tea, broccoli, peanut butter, spinach and chocolate. When oxalate levels are kept low, it is easier for the body to excrete the substance through the kidneys. But if there is more oxalate than can be dissolved in the urine, the crystals settle down and form kidney stones.
Ceftazidime and trimethroprim-sulfmethoxazole are two broad-spectrum antibiotics often used against a variety of bacteria; they are highly toxic to Oxalobacter as well. Prolonged antibiotic use and other high-dose drug regimens affect the natural colonization of the organism, or irreversibly destroy the colonies.
The presence of this bacterium may be very beneficial, but because of the use of antibiotic treatment, often due to over prescription, the normal intestinal bacterial flora is altered. Kidney stones, one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract afflict 5 to 10 percent of the population worldwide today.
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