The microbiome of the urinary tract—a role beyond infection

Contrary to doctrine, the urinary tract is inhabited by a unique urinary microbiota; further research is needed to characterize this microbial community in health and diseaseAlterations in the urinary microbiota have been linked to urologic disease, such as neurogenic bladder dysfunction, interstitial cystitis and urgency urinary incontinenceThe microbiome, particularly that of the gut, has a key role in the development and progression of disease within the urinary tractAlthough early studies of probiotics in patients with nephrolithiasis or bladder cancer have demonstrated variable effectiveness, such alternative treatment strategies focused on reconstituting the microbiome should be further explored