Meta-analysis of Clinical Microbiome Studies in Urolithiasis Reveal Age, Stone Composition, and Study Location as the Predominant Factors in Urolithiasis-Associated Microbiome Composition
Naveen Kachroo, Dirk Lange, Kristina L. Penniston, Joshua M. Stern, Gregory E. Tasian, Petar Bajic, Alan J. Wolfe, Mangesh Suryavanshi, Andrea Ticinesi, Tiziana Meschi, Manoj Monga, Aaron W. Miller
Abstract
Studies focused on the microbiome broadly support the hypothesis that the microbiome influences the onset of chronic diseases such as urinary stone disease. However, it is unclear what environmental factors shape the microbiome in ways that increase the risk for chronic disease. In addition, it is unclear how differences in study methodology can impact the results of clinical metagenome-wide association studies. In the current meta-analysis, we show that age, stone composition, and study location are the predominant factors that associate with the microbiome and USD status. Furthermore, we reveal differences in results based on specific analytical protocols, which impacts the interpretation of any microbiome study.