Urinary Microbiome and Cytokine Levels in Women With Interstitial Cystitis

Abstract

The urinary microbiome of participants with interstitial cystitis was less diverse, less likely to contain Lactobacillus species, and associated with higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines. It is unknown whether this represents causality and whether the effect of alterations to the urinary microbiome is mediated through an inflammatory response.