The results of both previous studies and our study that found a low abundance of lactobacilli in the urine of IC/BPS patients sparked our interest: could decreased abundance of lactobacilli be a cause of increased levels of mast cell degranulation, interleukin-6, TNF-α and other inflammatory factors in IC/BPS patients? This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and Bartsocas-Papas syndrome 1.