Infection and urinary stones

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite modern antibiotic therapy and technological advances in lithotripsy, the presence of infection in urinary stone patients as well as infectious stones are still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Many new investigations are focusing on the pathogenesis and treatment of these difficult cases. RECENT FINDINGS: Most of the current literature on the subject focuses on pathogenesis of infectious urinary stones. The remaining literature highlights difficult cases, outcomes of treatments, and overall reviews of the subject. SUMMARY: Recent findings lend more theories as to how infection leads to stone formation. Further investigation is critically needed to improve the outcomes of patients suffering from infections with urinary stones and infectious stones.