Xie J, Huang JS, Huang XJ, et al. - In the present study, the researchers sought to examine the urinary microbiome of male patients (n = 22) with calcium-based kidney stones and compare it with those of healthy people (n = 21). The research showed distinct urinary microbiota in male kidney stone patients vs healthy people, and comparable microbiota between bladder urine and renal pelvis urine. Several predicted functional pathways and inflammation-related bacteria were found to appear differentially in kidney stone patients' urinary tract. The authors hypothesized that through modulation of inflammatory processes, bacteria may influence the development of calcium-based kidney stones. The results may provide useful information for interpreting the relationship between bacteria and kidney stones based on calcium.