Scientists Find New Ways to Tackle Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

As the threat of antibiotic resistance grows, researchers are developing ways to prevent recurrent and chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) without using antibiotics, wrote Carissa Wong on May 2, 2024.

An article published in the journal Nature says the latest approaches include an oral spray vaccine.

In clinical trials, the pineapple-flavored Uromune™ (MV140) prevented recurrent UTIs in participants for up to nine years. The polyvalent bacterial whole-cell-based sublingual vaccine is sprayed under the tongue daily for three months.

Unfortunately, Uromune is currently unavailable in Canada or the United States. But it is offered in various countries.

Furthermore, scientists are also testing safer ways to treat UTI infections with antibiotics, which often cause side effects.

The anti-infective candidate RECCE® 327 (R327) was recently added to the World Health Organization's report on Antibacterial Agents in Clinical Development and Preclinical Development.

The U.S. CDC says UTIs are common infections caused by bacteria, often from the skin or rectum, entering the urethra and infecting the urinary tract.

UTIs are more common in females because their urethras are shorter and closer to the rectum. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract, says the CDC.

However, about 10% of men will also experience a UTI during their life. 

Younger children may not be able to tell you about their UTI symptoms. While fever is the most common sign of a UTI in infants and toddlers, most children with fever do not have a UTI.

Access to the complete Nature article is at this link.