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Updated: Jan 22, 2026
An In Vitro Bladder Model of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
Published on: June 24, 2025
Indwelling Urinary Catheter Model of Proteus mirabilis Infection
Sara N Smith1, Chelsie E Armbruster2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Abstract:
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections, especially those caused by Escherichia coli, have historically been widely studied. However, complicated urinary tract infections are presenting ever increasing healthcare challenges, particularly with Proteus mirabilis. P. mirabilis is often found on indwelling urinary catheters causing monomicrobial and polymicrobial catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Widespread antibiotic resistance, combined with the ability of P. mirabilis to form urinary calculi during infection, warrants further investigation of this pathogen and its host interaction in an infection model that more closely mimics the presence of an indwelling urinary catheter. Here, we describe the methods necessary to establish a murine model of P. mirabilis CAUTI.
Insights
Complicated urinary tract infections caused by Proteus mirabilis are a growing concern. This study details a new mouse model to study Proteus mirabilis catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Urology
Background:
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) are well-researched, but complicated UTIs pose increasing challenges.
- Proteus mirabilis is a key pathogen in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), often forming biofilms and urinary calculi.
- Antibiotic resistance in P. mirabilis necessitates better understanding of its pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a murine model that accurately simulates Proteus mirabilis CAUTI.
- To provide a platform for investigating P. mirabilis host interactions in a catheterized state.
- To facilitate research into novel therapeutic strategies against P. mirabilis CAUTI.
Main Methods:
- Development of a murine model incorporating indwelling urinary catheters.
- Inoculation of the murine urinary tract with Proteus mirabilis.
- Monitoring of infection progression, biofilm formation, and calculus development.
Main Results:
- Successful establishment of a reproducible murine model for P. mirabilis CAUTI.
- Demonstration of P. mirabilis colonization and biofilm formation on catheters.
- Observation of urinary calculus formation in infected murine bladders.
Conclusions:
- The developed murine model is suitable for studying P. mirabilis pathogenesis in CAUTI.
- This model will aid in understanding host-pathogen dynamics and evaluating new treatments.
- Further research using this model can address the challenges posed by antibiotic-resistant P. mirabilis.
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