Relationship between Oxalobacter formigenes and Calcium Oxalate Stones

Document Type : Review articles

Authors

1 Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

2 Urology and Nephrology center, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Abstract

Oxalobacter formigenes (O. formigenes) is a Gram-negative, non-pathogenic, anaerobic bacterium. O. formigenes belongs to the group of bacteria called the gut microbiota, which lives in the intestine. At the core of a network of bacteria that break down oxalate in the colon, O. formigenes may be crucial in lowering urine oxalate levels and so lowering the risk of calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stones. The enzyme machinery needed to break down oxalate is absent from mammalian hosts. The unique metabolic system of O. formigenes is composed of the membrane layer oxalate/formate carrier and 2 enzymes: formyl-CoA transferase and oxyl-CoA decarboxylase. Additionally, O. formigenes accelerates the clearance of endogenously generated oxalate from the blood and encourages the release of oxalate from plasma into the gut. CaOx stones make up to 80% of calculi. Kidney stone development is a complicated and multifaceted process that involves the interplay of several factors, including metabolism, genetics, environment, and lifestyle habits. 

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