Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

An In Vitro Bladder Model of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
07:57

An In Vitro Bladder Model of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection

Published on: June 24, 2025

The effect of lactic acid bacteria isolates on the urinary tract pathogens to infants in vitro

In Seok Lim1, Ho Seok Lee, Won Yong Kim

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea. ctrhslee@hotmail.com

Journal of Korean Medical Science
|February 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) show potential as probiotics to combat urinary tract infections in children. These beneficial bacteria effectively inhibit uropathogens, offering a promising avenue for pediatric UTI prevention and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent in children, with limited research on probiotic interventions.
  • Existing studies on probiotics for UTIs primarily focus on adult females, highlighting a gap in pediatric research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To screen lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains for their in vitro ability to inhibit uropathogens relevant to pediatric UTIs.
  • To identify potential probiotic candidates for further in vivo investigation in children.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and identification of nine E. coli strains from pediatric UTIs and six reference uropathogens.
  • Isolation and identification of 135 LAB strains from healthy children using physiological, biochemical, and 16S rDNA PCR methods.
  • Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of LAB strains against uropathogens using the agar disk diffusion assay.

Main Results:

  • Three isolated LAB strains exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against all tested uropathogens.
  • Maximum antimicrobial activity was observed in the 4th-day culture broth of specific Lactobacillus strains.
  • The agar disk diffusion assay effectively demonstrated the inhibitory potential of selected LAB.

Conclusions:

  • Specific LAB strains possess inhibitory properties against common uropathogens, making them suitable candidates for probiotic development.
  • These findings suggest that LAB can be developed into probiotic microorganisms for the treatment and prevention of pediatric UTIs.
  • Further in vivo studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy of these LAB candidates in children.

Keywords:
Lactic Acid BacteriaProbioticsUrinary Tract InfectionsUropathogens

More Related Videos

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay09:20

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

Published on: April 28, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods01:27

Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...