16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Reveals Altered Composition of Gut Microbiota in Postoperative Individuals With Renal Stones

Background: Renal stones are a common urological disease with high prevalence and recurrence rates. Characterizing gut microbiome profiles of first-onset renal calculi patients, both before and after surgery, may provide valuable insights and identify potential biomarkers for the disease. MethodsWe explored the associations between the gut microbiome and renal stone formation using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. In brief, 20 patients were recruited, and information on health and eating habits within the previous 1-3 months was collected upon admission.ResultsA total of 493 OTUs were detected in 40 specimens, with an average of 67,888 ± 827 reads per sample. The results of OUT-based PLS-DA analysis showed significant differences between RS1 and RS2 groups, with a significantly higher level of OTU7 in the RS2 group. Taxonomy‑based comparisons of the gut microbiome showed differences in the flora composition, with the prevalence of Enterobacteriales , Enterobacteriaceae , Gammaproteobacteria , and Escherichia being higher in the RS2 group and the prevalence of Pseudomonadaceae , Pseudomonadales , and Pseudomonas being higher in the RS1 group.ConclusionsThese data strongly suggest that the gut microbiome affects kidney stone formation, and these findings may provide new insights for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of renal stones.