This is a not uncommon cause of kidney stones, especially in women. Some organisms which cause UTIs change the chemistry of the urine and cause stones. Bacteria such as Proteus, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas are particularly prone to be associated with renal calculi.
It is particularly important to treat kidney stones associated with UTIs, as bacteria often lodge within the stones and it is not possible to get rid of the infections completely unless the stones are removed.
Kidney stones associated with UTIs tend to be made up of different chemicals and may look different when imaged radiologically. The stones may also be larger and softer than the more common calcium stones.
Renal calculi associated with UTIs cannot be dissolved and need to be treated surgically to achieve complete stone clearance.
