| |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
The Kidney Stone Page |
| |
RESEARCH
|
"Bad" Bacteria and Kidney Stones
Of all the forms of bacteria in the world, the very smallest—the tiniest—are known as “nanobacteria.” Like other
bacteria, they exist almost everywhere, and recently researchers have identified them in cow and human blood, and
in human urine. E. Olavi Kajander and Neva Ciftioglu of the University of Kuopio in Finland recently discovered
that these nanobacteria can produce a calcium phosphate mineral layer—called apatite—around themselves, a hard
layer similar to bone or tooth enamel. “Nanobacteria are the smallest cell-walled bacteria, only recently
discovered in human and cow blood and commercial cell culture serum,'' they wrote in their report in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
When they let the serum sit in a test tube for a little while, the bacteria settled on the bottom. They quickly
developed a thick shell. Their research suggests that these bacteria may be a possible cause of kidney stones,
gall stones, bladder stones, and other similar problems. Depending on circumstances, the nanobacteria may cause
the stone covering around themselves or, alternatively, they may produce a biofilm, a sand, or a tumor-like
deposit. In certain growth conditions, solid mineral-covered groupings of up to half a centimeter in diameter
may grow within just a few weeks.
The researchers found that the mineral coverings over the nanobacteria somewhat resembled bone in structure, but
instead of being composed of normal bone matter (hydroxyapatite), they were made of carbonate apatite, the same
material most abnormal calcified tissue and stones is made of. In the laboratory research, some of the mineral
coverings around small groups of nanobacteria looked exactly like human kidney stones in size and shape. They
had a hollow center where small numbers of bacteria could live, completely protected. This similarity led the
researchers to look for nanobacteria inside real human kidney stones. Sure enough, they found the bacteria
inside all of the 30 stones they looked at. Blood serum itself, they said, contains chemicals that suppress
the formation of mineral layers. But they said they had found earlier that nanobacteria can be transported
from the blood to the kidneys.
According to the research, the nanobacteria were able to form their stone shelters without the presence
of any particular or unusual concentrations of chemicals, and would happily grow in a solution just like
urine. The researchers believe that it is very likely that nanobacteria might “seed” kidney stones and
mineral deposits in the joints and tendons that can lead to certain types of arthritis, pseudogout and
joint inflammation. Nanobacterial deposits might also cause atherosclerotic plaques (fatty deposits
inside the arteries) to accumulate calcium phosphate, as well as contributing to mineralization of
certain tumors, an unexplained condition often suffered by dialysis patients.
Information for this article was taken from Macmillan Magazines Ltd
1998, NATURE NEWS; and Reuters News Service, Washington.
How can you deal with this bacteria? Click here
Researchers have recently found that calcium oxalate stones form in people who lack a certain beneficial
bacteria. They tried a number of different things to get it back, but enzyme therapy was the only effective
supplement.
Click Here to read this exciting new research about enzyme therapy and kidney stones.
|
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
If you need medical attention, consult your health care professional.
|
 |
|
 |
|
About Us
My Account
