Hi @wendyw,
Thank you for reaching out to the Connect community with such an insightful observation!
Although research regarding FMT is still ongoing, there are a number of published studies which explore the role of gut bacteria in stone pathophysiology. Here are a few you may wish to read:
– Microbial Community Transplant Results in Increased and Long-Term Oxalate Degradation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5155304/
– Manipulating the gut microbiota to maintain health and treat disease https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4315778/
"Oxalobacter formigenes is the key bacterium responsible for the degradation of oxalate in humans, and an accumulation of oxalate is the main case of kidney stone formation. Patients suffering from calcium oxalate kidney stones are less likely to be colonized by O. formigenes. The bacterium is sensitive to many commonly used antibiotics and is less abundant in individuals who have undergone antibiotic treatment at some point in their life. Oral recolonisation with Oxalobacter has been successful (52), although it is not permanent. Identification of specific substrates to boost existing numbers of O. formigenes would be a viable alternative therapy, but the preliminary microbiology work has yet to be done."
I was also wondering if you were aware of Mayo Clinic's comprehensive, multidisciplinary kidney stone program? Here's more information: http://www.mayo.edu/research/departments-divisions/department-urology/kidney-stones
I'm tagging @concernedmtnmom as she has discussed FMT, and may have more information.
Thank you so much for your valuable information. Since finding about the effects of FMT on patients with C diff (99% cure ) and the ongoing research with other conditions I have been seeking more information on the procedure in Australia where we live.My son also have severe anxiety and I was very interested to find that serotonin is 95% produced in the gut. I wonder how an imbalance in the gut could affect both kidney stone production and anxiety?At present his kidney stones are forming more rapidly than they can be removed so the constant procedures and pain are debilitating.I will follow this up with the overseas patient dept at Mayo. If any other members can help with information I’d be very grateful.