How gut and vaginal bacteria affect urinary tract infections
Epidemiologic and molecular basis of the gut-urinary tract axis in urinary tract infection
This project looks at how E. coli and other bacteria in the gut and vagina move into the urinary tract and drive infections, especially in people with repeated UTIs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11048692 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers will collect stool, urine, and vaginal/periurethral samples from people with and without recurrent UTIs over time. They will use DNA sequencing and molecular tests to track specific E. coli strains, antibiotic resistance, and changes in the microbiome. The team combines population-level data with lab analyses to understand where bacteria live between infections and how they spread to the bladder. Findings will focus on why some people get repeat infections and which bacterial reservoirs to target to prevent them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people—most often women—who have a history of recurrent urinary tract infections or frequent antibiotic-treated UTIs.
Not a fit: People without UTIs or whose infections are not caused by E. coli or related bacterial reservoirs may not gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent and treat recurrent UTIs by targeting gut or vaginal reservoirs and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier studies have shown microbiome differences in people with recurrent UTI, but comprehensive strain-level tracking across gut and urogenital sites is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hultgren, Scott J. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Hultgren, Scott J.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.