Related Experiment Videos
Study on pathogenesis of Enterococcus faecalis in urinary tract
T Hirose1, Y Kumamoto, N Tanaka
1Department of Urology, Sapporo Medical College, Japan.
Abstract:
The rate of isolation of Enterococcus faecalis as the causative bacterium of complicated urinary tract infections has been increasing. However, the pathogenicity of this bacterium in the urinary tract has not been clarified. Thus, the authors investigated how E. faecalis is pathogenic to the urinary tract, using mice with experimental urinary tract infection. The investigation revealed that this bacterium when sufficiently numerous can be directly pathogenic. The bacterium can be pathogenic indirectly when present with other typical urinary bacteria such as E. coli.
Insights
Enterococcus faecalis increasingly causes complicated urinary tract infections. This study shows E. faecalis can be directly pathogenic in sufficient numbers or indirectly pathogenic when co-infecting with bacteria like E. coli.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Urology
Background:
- Enterococcus faecalis is an emerging cause of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs).
- The specific mechanisms underlying E. faecalis pathogenicity in the urinary tract remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of Enterococcus faecalis in experimental urinary tract infections.
- To determine if E. faecalis possesses intrinsic virulence factors or relies on co-infection for pathogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Induction of experimental urinary tract infections in a murine model.
- Isolation and quantification of E. faecalis from infected bladders and kidneys.
- Co-infection models with common uropathogens like Escherichia coli.
Main Results:
- E. faecalis demonstrated direct pathogenicity when present in high bacterial loads.
- E. faecalis exhibited indirect pathogenicity when co-infecting with other typical urinary tract bacteria, such as E. coli.
- The study confirmed E. faecalis as a significant pathogen in complicated UTIs.
Conclusions:
- Sufficient bacterial numbers enable direct E. faecalis pathogenicity in the urinary tract.
- E. faecalis can contribute to UTI pathogenesis through synergistic interactions with other uropathogens.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for managing complicated urinary tract infections.