Cutaneous Burn Injury Modulates Urinary Antimicrobial Peptide Responses and the Urinary Microbiome.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Burn Care Research

Background:

• Burn injuries significantly alter host defenses, increasing susceptibility to infections.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and serious morbidities in burn patients.
• The urinary microbiome and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play crucial roles in maintaining urinary tract health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the urinary bacterial microbiome and AMPs in burn patients.
• To identify potential mechanisms linking burn injury to UTIs and associated morbidities.
• To explore the predictive value of urinary microbiome and AMPs for infection risk in burn patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study involving urine samples from burn patients and healthy controls.
• Analysis of urinary bacterial microbiome composition using molecular techniques.
• Quantification and functional assessment of key antimicrobial peptides (e.g., psoriasin, β-defensin).
• Correlation of findings with patient outcomes, including UTI and sepsis development.

Main Results:

• Burn patients showed increased urinary microbial diversity compared to controls.
• Increased microbial diversity correlated positively with burn severity and risk of UTI and sepsis.
• Urinary AMP levels (psoriasin, β-defensin) were significantly reduced post-burn.
• Altered AMP activity in burn patients was associated with susceptibility to specific uropathogens like E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa.

Conclusions:

• Alterations in the urinary microbiome and AMPs are linked to UTI development and morbidities in burn patients.
• Early assessment of urinary AMP responses and microbiome may help predict UTI and sepsis susceptibility.
• Findings suggest novel therapeutic targets for preventing infections in burn populations.