Urinary Stones and Infections

Dear Colleagues,

Urinary tract infections are often associated with urinary stones, which complicates them due to the obstruction of the urinary tract and the acting as a foreign body on whose surface the growth of bacterial biofilms is favored. On the other hand, infection with urease-producing bacteria is by itself a cause of stones due to the urinary effect of urease that splits urea with consequent alkalinization of the urine and increase in urinary ammonium concentrations.

The presence of urinary infection in patients with urinary stones must be promptly diagnosed to avoid potential septic complications, especially in cases of obstruction or in the course of procedures for stone removal.

In this Special Issue, we would like to discuss the most recent evidence in the field of microbiological diagnosis of urinary infections complicated by urinary stones, with particular emphasis on the role of perioperative cultures, culture of stones, and rapid diagnostic methods for infection. The risk factors for the development of urinary sepsis and the diagnostic protocols for its early identification will also be discussed, including the blood measurement of markers of the systemic inflammatory process (C reactive protein, procalcitonin, etc.). We will also cover information on the results of the spectroscopic analysis of the stones associated with urinary infection, the spectrum of pathogens associated with this type of infections, and the diagnosis of unusual pathogens that are endowed with urease activity that may cause stone formation or encrusting cystitis (Ureaplasma urealyticum, Corynebacterium urealyticum). Finally, the role of metabolic screening in patients with infected stones will be evaluated.

We hope that this Special issue will provide information to clinicians dealing with the treatment of this type of stone that requires special attention for the prevention of its complications and the risk of recurrence.

Dr. Alberto Trinchieri
Dr. Elisa De Lorenzis
Guest Editors

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