Urinary microbiota; Which non-ınvasive urine collection method should we use?

Bladder cancer-associated microbiota: Recent advances and future perspectives

Recent evidence suggests that the human genitourinary microbiome plays a significant role in mediating the development and progression of urological tumors, including bladder cancer (BC). Clinicians widely recognize the role of Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG), an attenuated Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine, in the management of intermediate- and high-risk NMIBC. However, compared to the large body of evidence on the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal tumors, limited information is available about the interaction between BC and the genitourinary microbiome. This is an expanding field that merits further investigation. Urologists will need to consider the potential impact of the microbiome in BC diagnosis, prevention of recurrence and progression, and treatment prospects in the future. This review highlights the approaches adopted for microbiome research and the findings and inadequacies of current research on BC.

The pediatric urobiome in genitourinary conditions: a narrative review

The microbial ecosystem within the bladder that can be measured within the urine, or urobiome, is an emerging field of study with little published data regarding children. However, investigations into urobiome research have the potential to significantly impact the understanding of the pathophysiology of genitourinary conditions, as well as potentially identify novel therapeutics. Therefore, both researchers and clinicians should be aware of pediatric urobiome research. The purpose of this review is to highlight the literature around urobiome research in urinary tract infections, nephrolithiasis, and neurogenic bladder; comment on pediatric-specific considerations when reading and interpreting the urobiome literature; and to identify new potential areas of research.

The Urobiome and Its Role in Overactive Bladder

Urine is no longer considered to be sterile. After the existence of the microbiome was revealed through metagenomic analysis using next-generation sequencing, the relationship between characteristics of the microbiome and diseases have been studied and published in various journals. A microbiome exists in the urinary tract and is associated with urinary tract infection, malignancy of the genitourinary tract, and lower urinary tract symptoms. Based on the urine sampling method, sampling site, culture method, and sex, the characteristics of the microbiome vary. Most of the Lactobacillus species are identified mainly in women, and various other species are identified in men. These microorganisms can cause or prevent various diseases. Variations in the microbiome are seen in those with and without disease, and an asymptomatic status does not indicate the absence of microbes. This microbiome has been implicated in a variety of lower urinary tract symptoms and diseases, in particular, overactive bladder. The microbiome differs between patients with urgency and urge urinary incontinence and healthy individuals. There are many aspects of the microbiome yet to be studied in relation to other lower urinary tract symptoms.

Emerging Role of Microbiome in the Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections in Children

The microbiome of the urinary tract plays a significant role in maintaining health through the impact on bladder homeostasis. Urobiome is of great importance in maintaining the urothelial integrity and preventing urinary tract infection (UTI), as well as promoting local immune function. Dysbiosis in this area has been linked to an increased risk of UTIs, nephrolithiasis, and dysfunction of the lower urinary tract. However, the number of studies in the pediatric population is limited, thus the characteristic of the urobiome in children, its role in a child's health, and pediatric urologic diseases are not completely understood. This review aims to characterize the healthy urobiome in children, the role of dysbiosis in urinary tract infection, and to summarize the strategies to modification and reshape disease-prone microbiomes in pediatric patients with recurrent urinary tract infections.