Microbes in the human body, play a vital role in immune system function. They engage in multiple key signaling pathways like short-chain fatty acid metabolism, cGAS-STING, and TLR-mediated cytokine signaling. The significant influence of the intestine-renal axis is now well-recognized. Cutting-edge advancements in sequencing technologies like 2bRAD-M (2bRAD Sequencing for Microbiomes) and bacterial 16S rDNA gene sequencing have revolutionized our understanding of the microbial communities in the urinary system. Contrary to the traditional notion of associating urinary microbes solely with infection, groundbreaking discoveries have confirmed the existence of a resident urinary microbiota in healthy individuals. A range of urological conditions, from prostatitis and lower urinary tract dysfunction to urinary tract infections and urologic malignancies, have been incontrovertibly linked to imbalances in the urinary microbiome. Studies have reported a surge in Corynebacterium levels alongside a decline in Prevotella and Lactobacillus populations in patients with urinary stones. The long-standing observation that chronic schistosomiasis bladder infection can lead to the development of bladder squamous cell carcinoma. Endogenous retroviruses are usually silent but become active in tumors. Higher ERV expression levels correlate with better immune responses to PD-1 monotherapy in certain cancers. The use of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin has proven effective in reducing bladder cancer recurrence. These findings highlight the profound impact of microbiota on urologic disorders and their potential for clinical application. Looking ahead, the integration of advanced macrogenomic sequencing techniques with other nucleic acid technologies and metabolomic analyses promises to provide transformative insights into the intricate functions of these microbial communities.

In reality, our understanding is still limited regarding the role bacteria play in the onset of urologic conditions and their potential clinical utility. Focused research on microbiomes could significantly advance our knowledge in the origin, diagnosis, and management of these disorders. Importantly, while most existing studies target bacteria, investigations into other microorganisms like fungi and viruses are equally crucial.

We welcome submissions focus on, but not limited to, the following subtopics:
1. Exploration and identification of specific microorganisms and their functional products, using innovative techniques, to assess their role and utility in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of urologic conditions.
2. Studies that illuminate how microbiota shape the immune system, using animal models, in vitro experiments, and multi-omics techniques, to identify critical immune cells, signaling pathways, and regulatory factors.
3. Research into new drugs leveraging microbiomics, metabolomics, and proteomics, accompanied by preclinical and clinical evaluations.
4. Evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of various interventions, such as manipulating the microbiota or utilizing viral-based therapies in managing urologic diseases, such as oncolytic virus therapy.
5. Assessments of how immunotherapy impacts microbiota balance and leads to clinical complications.
6. Investigations into the role of urinary microorganisms in infection-driven and inflammatory conditions.

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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

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