A Clandestine Cause of UTIs

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are considered to be one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide.(1) The most common uropathogen causing uncomplicated UTIs is Escherichia coli.(2) Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains cause UTIs via the intestine-stool-urethra route.(3)

Recent studies have found that ExPEC strains are distinct from other intestinal pathogenic and normal commensal E. coli strains.(3) Further analyses of ExPEC isolates from urine specimens of UTI patients showed these isolates were closely related to, if not indistinguishable from, pathogenic E. coli of poultry and pork.(4) In a study conducted by Yamaji et al., E. coli isolates from urine specimens of patients with suspected UTIs were analyzed and compared to the bacteria on retail meat samples in the same region using DNA fingerprinting techniques. They found that 21% of E. coli isolates from cases of UTIs matched the same types of E. coli found in local retail poultry.(5) This supports the theory that poultry may serve as a reservoir for these ExPEC strains and as a result, may be a facilitator introducing these strains to the human intestine that could result in a UTI. The concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) and over-crowding of poultry leads to the endemic harboring of pathogens such as ExPEC, E. coli, and Campylobacter.

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"ExPEC isolates from urine specimens of UTI patients showed these isolates were closely related to, if not indistinguishable from, pathogenic E. coli of poultry and pork."

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It was presumed that if the UTIs are linked to poultry, then individuals who follow a vegetarian diet should have less exposure to ExPEC and less likelihood of contracting a UTI. To examine the association between vegetarian diet and UTI risk, a prospective cohort study was conducted by Chen et al. The study followed 9,724 UTI free Buddhists from 2005 to 2014 while assessing participants' diets through a food frequency questionnaire.(3) Throughout the study duration, there were 661 confirmed UTI cases. Various factors were taken into account during the study such as age, alcohol intake, and disease conditions predisposing them to UTIs. After analyzing the data, the UTI risk in vegetarians was 16% lower than non-vegetarians, showing that a person's diet may influence their risk of UTIs.

Globally, millions of individuals are affected by UTIs each year, of which, a portion of these cases may be caused by consuming ExPEC from food reservoirs.(5) Additional studies are necessary to clarify the relationship between UTI risk and the presence of ExPECs in food reservoirs. It is important for researchers to identify the level of risk ExPECs pose to human health. If the health risk is significant, that could justify efforts to monitor and reduce or eliminate these pathogens in foods. Overall, the impact of food on human health is still being established, thus highlighting the importance of further research, food testing, and increased public awareness.

by Makena Brand

Technical Services Microbiologist

References: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Could be as high as

29% of all STIs

Prior to 2022, monkeypox virus was a rare cause of disease in humans with most cases being associated with travel to the continent of Africa or contact with animals from Africa. However, monkeypox is currently causing the largest outbreak in recorded history, with more than 85,000 confirmed cases worldwide. In late 2022, the World Health Organization announced a name change from monkeypox to Mpox (1). Both names, monkeypox and Mpox, will be used simultaneously for one year while monkeypox is phased out. The Centers for Disease Control has adopted this terminology and timeline in sync with WHO.

So is the Mpox outbreak over? The CDC began providing weekly updated on the tracking data of Mpox. As of January 11, 2023 the US Cases total 29,980 with cases worldwide topping 84,716. During the height of the 2022 Mpox outbreak, the highest daily average of cases peaked in late July through early August with cases tapering off since then, however some clinicians argue that we aren’t testing enough so as to reveal more accurate numbers.

Other clinicians believe Mpox should be categorized a sexually transmitted infection (STI) (2). So far, more than 95% of cases in the United Stated have been acquired during sexual contact among men. Matt Binnicker, PhD, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology with the Mayo Clinic led a presentation about Mpox late last year wherein he shared the Mayo Clinic cases of confirmed Mpox cases made up 29% of STI’s with Chlamydia and Trichomonas at 5%, while Gonorrhea was at 2.5%. (3)

While debates over the labelling of Mpox continue, Hardy Diagnostics continues to support its partners with the following products for Mpox detection and diagnosis.

• R99 Viral Transport Medium, 3ml fill, 20/pkg

• R64bx Viral Transport Medium, 13x80mm tube, 100/pkg

• 3CO47N Universal Transport Medium, UTM, for chlamydia, mycoplasma, and viruses, 3ml, no beads, 16X100 tube, 300 per case, by Copan

• 3CO57N Mini-tip Size Flocked Swab with Breakpoint, Viral, Chlamydia, and Mycoplasma Specimen Collection and Transport Kit, Packaged with 3 mL UTM® Medium, Skirted Tube with Plastic Red Cap, 16x100mm, 300/case, by Copan

• Personal Protective Equipment

By Megan Roesner 

References: 1, 2, 3