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Updated: May 16, 2026

An In Vitro Bladder Model of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
Published on: June 24, 2025
Changes in urine composition after trauma facilitate bacterial growth
Cecile Aubron1, Olivier Huet, Sylvie Ricome
1Site Xavier Bichat, INSERM U722 and Université Paris 7 Denis Diderot, 16 rue Henri Huchard, Paris 75018, France. cecile.aubron@free.fr
Urine from trauma patients significantly enhances Escherichia coli growth compared to healthy individuals, potentially contributing to urinary tract infections (UTIs) in critically ill patients.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Critically ill patients, including trauma survivors, face a high risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Urine composition in trauma patients can be altered by inflammation, systemic stress, rhabdomyolysis, and medical interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether urine from severe trauma patients promotes the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli).
- To compare E. coli growth in urine from trauma patients versus healthy volunteers.
- To identify potential urinary compositional changes influencing bacterial growth.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, single-centre observational study.
- Collected 24-hour urine samples from severe trauma patients and healthy volunteers on days 1 and 5 post-trauma.
- Compared E. coli growth and analyzed biochemical/hormonal urine modifications.
Main Results:
- E. coli growth was significantly higher in urine from trauma patients on both days 1 and 5 compared to healthy volunteers.
- Trauma patients exhibited increased glycosuria, urine iron concentration, and amino acid levels.
- Lower urinary osmotic pressure was observed in trauma patients on day 1.
Conclusions:
- Trauma patient urine facilitates E. coli growth, an effect observed from day 1 up to at least day 5 post-trauma.
- These urinary modifications may play a role in the pathophysiology of UTIs in trauma patients.
- Further research is needed to pinpoint the specific causative factors.
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