The bowel microflora: an important source of urinary tract pathogens

The large bowel is home to a complex microbial community that is present throughout the life of the human host. Relatively few microbial species detected in faeces in relatively low numbers have been implicated as major aetiological agents of urinary tract infections. The impact of these few species on human health is considerable, especially when recurrent urinary tract infections are considered, and ways must be found to reduce their pathogenic activities. One approach may be to learn about the ecology of the bowel ecosystem and devise ways by which the numbers of enterobacteria, in particular, can be restricted. This, in turn, would decrease the dose of potential urinary tract pathogens present in the faeces.