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Genetic risk for recurrent urinary tract infections in humans: a systematic review

M Zaffanello1, G Malerba, L Cataldi

  • 1Department of Mother-Child and Biology-Genetics, Section of Pediatrics, University of Verona, Piazzale L. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. marco.zaffanello@univr.it

Journal of Biomedicine & Biotechnology
|April 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) may have a genetic component. Identifying specific genes could help predict risk in adults and their children, improving UTI management.

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Genetics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, affecting up to 50% of women and 10% of children, with 30-40% recurrence.
  • Recurrent UTIs can lead to significant morbidity and frequent medication use.
  • Emerging research suggests a genetic predisposition to recurrent UTIs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential genetic factors contributing to recurrent urinary tract infections.
  • To identify specific genes associated with susceptibility to recurrent UTIs.
  • To explore the implications of genetic components for diagnosing at-risk individuals and predicting familial risk.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated 14 candidate genes for their association with recurrent UTIs in humans.
  • Analyzed the potential role of specific genes in altering the host's response to UTIs.

Main Results:

  • Six out of 14 investigated genes showed a potential association with recurrent UTI susceptibility.
  • Genes such as HSPA1B, CXCR1 & 2, TLR2, TLR4, and TGF-beta1 appear linked to altered host responses in UTIs.

Conclusions:

  • A genetic component may predispose individuals to recurrent urinary tract infections.
  • Identifying these genetic markers could enable early diagnosis and risk prediction for recurrent UTIs.
  • Further research into these genes can advance understanding and management of recurrent UTIs.

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