You have accessJournal of UrologyTrauma/Reconstruction/Diversion: Urethral Reconstruction (including Stricture, Diverticulum) I (MP03)1 Sep 2021MP03-09 DESCRIBING THE URINARY MICROBIOME IN PRE-OPERATIVE URINE SPECIMENS OF LICHEN SCLEROSUS INDUCED AND NON-LICHEN SCLEROSUS INDUCED URETHRAL STRICTURE DISEASE Amanda Sherman, Travis Sullivan, Harjivan Kohli, Eric Burks, Kimberly Rieger-Christ, and Alex J Vanni Amanda ShermanAmanda Sherman More articles by this author , Travis SullivanTravis Sullivan More articles by this author , Harjivan KohliHarjivan Kohli More articles by this author , Eric BurksEric Burks More articles by this author , Kimberly Rieger-ChristKimberly Rieger-Christ More articles by this author , and Alex J VanniAlex J Vanni More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000001964.09AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect both the penile skin and urethral epithelium in men. Over time, severe impairment of sexual and urinary function can result, from preputial adhesions and phimosis, skin tearing with erections, acquired buried penis, and urethral stricture disease (USD). The pathophysiology of LS USD is poorly understood, with a heterogeneous presentation and disease severity. This study seeks to describe differences in the urinary microbiome of patients with pathologically confirmed LS USD vs non-LS USD. METHODS: An IRB approved protocol of men with USD was performed. Pre-operative clean catch voided urine was collected in 34 men with pathologically confirmed LS USD and non-LS USD. Bacterial genomic DNA was extracted using the PowerMag Soil DNA Isolation Kit. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed using the MiSeq platform for paired-end sequencing. Gene sequences were clustered into Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) at a similarity cutoff value of 97%. Taxonomic identities were assigned to each using the scikit-learn classifier and an optimized, variable region-specific version of the SILVA Database. RESULTS: Sufficient bacterial DNA for analysis was obtained from 19 patients (10 non-LS USD and 9 LS USD). Significant differences in alpha diversity (within sample variance) and beta diversity (between sample variance) were observed (p <0.05) between the two cohorts. Likewise, differences in taxonomic profiles and differential abundance of taxa (Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus) were noted between the cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: LS USD have significant alterations in diversity and differential abundance of urine microbiota compared to non-LS USD controls. While further validation in a larger sample is necessary, this finding could be used to guide further investigation into the role of bacteria and the urinary microbiome in LS USD pathogenesis, severity of presentation, and stricture recurrence. Source of Funding: Support for this project generously provided by The Ellison Foundation © 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 206Issue Supplement 3September 2021Page: e24-e24 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Amanda Sherman More articles by this author Travis Sullivan More articles by this author Harjivan Kohli More articles by this author Eric Burks More articles by this author Kimberly Rieger-Christ More articles by this author Alex J Vanni More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Loading ...