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The virulence of Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens in experimental bladder infection in diabetic mice
Abstract:
Diabetic mice were significantly more susceptible than normal mice to bladder infection with Enterobacter cloacae or Serratia marcescens but not to intraperitoneal infection. Normal urine inhibited the growth of E. cloacae and S. marcescens, whereas urine from diabetic mice permitted multiplication. The addition of urea to urine from diabetic mice restored its antibacterial properties for E. cloacae and S. marcescens. We consider that the decreased urea content of the urine of diabetic mice was responsible for their increased susceptibility to bacterial infection of the bladder.
Insights
Diabetic mice are more prone to bladder infections due to lower urea levels in their urine, which fail to inhibit bacterial growth. Restoring urea levels in diabetic urine re-establishes its protective antibacterial properties.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Microbiology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Diabetic patients exhibit increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- The specific mechanisms underlying this heightened susceptibility remain incompletely understood.
- Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens are common uropathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of urine composition in the increased susceptibility of diabetic mice to bladder infections.
- To determine the antibacterial properties of urine from diabetic versus normal mice against specific uropathogens.
- To assess the impact of urea concentration on the antibacterial activity of diabetic urine.
Main Methods:
- Comparative infection models using diabetic and normal mice.
- Intraperitoneal and intravesical inoculation with Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens.
- In vitro assessment of bacterial growth inhibition in urine samples from both groups.
- Urine analysis to determine urea content and antibacterial properties with and without urea supplementation.
Main Results:
- Diabetic mice showed significantly higher susceptibility to bladder infections with E. cloacae and S. marcescens compared to normal mice.
- Normal mouse urine inhibited the growth of these bacteria, while diabetic mouse urine promoted their multiplication.
- Supplementation of diabetic mouse urine with urea restored its ability to inhibit E. cloacae and S. marcescens growth.
Conclusions:
- The reduced urea content in the urine of diabetic mice is a key factor contributing to their increased susceptibility to bladder infections.
- Urea plays a critical role in the innate antibacterial defense of urine against common uropathogens.
- These findings highlight a potential therapeutic target for preventing UTIs in diabetic individuals.