Nanobacteria: an infectious cause for kidney stone formation.

Ciftcioglu N, Bjorklund M, Kuorikoski K, Bergstrom K, Kajander EO.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Kuopio, Finland.
neva.ciftcioglu@uku.fi

BACKGROUND: Nanobacteria are cytotoxic, sterile-filterable, gram-negative,
atypical bacteria detected in bovine and human blood. Nanobacteria produce
carbonate apatite on their cell walls. Data on Randall's plaques suggest
that apatite may initiate kidney stone formation. We assessed nanobacteria
in 72 consecutively collected kidney stones from Finnish patients. METHODS:
Nanobacteria and kidney stone units were compared using scanning electron
microscopy (SEM). Demineralized kidney stones were screened for
nanobacteria using a double-staining method and a specific culture method.
Isolated nanobacteria were analyzed for mineral formation in vitro with Ca
and 85Sr incorporation tests. RESULTS: SEM highlighted the resemblance in
size and morphology of nanobacteria and the smallest apatite units in the
kidney stones. Nanobacterial antigens could be detected after the
demineralization of the stones in 1 N HCl. Nanobacteria were surprisingly
resistant to this treatment, and cultures could be established from 93.1%
of the stones. Only struvite stones had common bacteria, in addition to the
nanobacteria. When the results of all of the assays were combined, 70 of
the 72 stones (that is, 97.2%) were nanobacteria positive. Although apatite
stones indicated highest nanobacteria antigen signals, the overall
nanobacteria positivity did not depend on the stone type. The isolated
nanobacteria produced apatite stones in vitro, measured by Ca and 85Sr
incorporation. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that kidney stone formation is a
nanobacterial disease analogous to Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic
ulcer disease. Both diseases are initiated by bacterial infection and
subsequently endogenous and dietary factors influence their progression.

PMID: 10571799 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

There is mounting evidence that nanobacteria are active in creating calcum
deposits (arteries, kidneys, prostate) in the body and that EDTA in
combination with tetracycline may reduce those calcium deposits - EDTA
breaking down the calcium shells that nanobacteria build and tetracycline
killing the little beasts.