Hippuric acid metabolism by Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum-like bacteria promotes calcium oxalate crystallization.

C. glucuronolyticum-like bacteria promote calcium oxalate crystallization by degrading hippuric acid, with potential to be targeted for kidney stone prevention.

• Why it matters: Understanding microbial contributions to kidney stone formation addresses a critical gap, as rising nephrolithiasis incidence lacks fully elucidated mechanisms.
• What they did: Researchers analyzed the urinary microbiome and conducted in vivo and in vitro experiments, revealing enrichment of C. glucuronolyticum-like bacteria and their role in promoting crystal nucleation and aggregation.
• The result: Hippuric acid degradation by these bacteria accelerates stone formation, but dietary interventions like cranberry-derived diets can mitigate this process, suggesting new therapeutic strategies.