Microbiome and Urologic Infections

There is an abundance of evidence that the human microbiome plays an important and nuanced role in controlling human health, including metabolism, immunity, pain, psychological state, and cancer. The recent discovery of the human genitourinary microbiome’s existence has led to the investigation of its role in mediating the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections, urologic pain syndromes, lower urinary tract symptoms, urolithiasis, and genitourinary malignancies like bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers. Furthermore, although it is largely recognized that members of the gastrointestinal microbiota are actively involved in drug metabolism, new studies demonstrate additional roles of the gastrointestinal microbiota (and their communication with the urinary microbiome) in dictating treatment response for urologic conditions, such as cancer.

There is now a host of evidence for a unique genitourinary (GU) microbiome. Translating microbiome research into clinical action will require incorporation of microbiome surveillance into ongoing and future clinical trials, as well as an expansion of studies to include metagenomic sequencing and metabolomics. In this learning center, we will review the most current research investigating a link between the gut and genitourinary microbiome and urologic disease. We will also focus on urologic infections and improving our understanding and treatment of them.

This learning center will provide information about our current and evolving state of knowledge with respect to our microbiome and its clinical impact on urologic disease. Our hope is that this expanding awareness of our urology microbiome will allow us to present clinically meaningful management strategies for the practicing physician.