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Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model
Published on: June 23, 2015
Unveiling the hidden arsenal: new insights into Proteus mirabilis virulence in UTIs
Aoyu Yang1, Yuchong Tian2, Xiancheng Li1
1Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Abstract:
Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacterium commonly found in urinary tract infections (UTIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). The pathogenic mechanisms of Proteus mirabilis are complex and diverse, involving various virulence factors, including fimbriae, flagella, urease, polyphosphate kinase, lipopolysaccharides, cyclic AMP receptor protein, Sigma factor RpoE, and RNA chaperone protein Hfq. These factors play crucial roles in bacterial colonization, invasion, evasion of host immune responses, biofilm formation, and urinary stone formation. This paper is the first to comprehensively describe the hydrogenase system, autotransporter proteins, molybdate-binding protein ModA, and two-component systems as virulence factors in Proteus mirabilis, providing new insights into its pathogenic mechanisms in urinary tract infections. This review explores the mechanisms of biofilm formation by Proteus mirabilis and the various virulence factors involved in UTIs, revealing many newly discovered virulence factors from recent studies. These findings may offer new targets for clinical treatment of UTIs and vaccine development, highlighting the importance of understanding these virulence factors.
Insights
Proteus mirabilis causes urinary tract infections using diverse virulence factors. This review details novel factors like hydrogenase systems and autotransporter proteins, offering new therapeutic and vaccine targets.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacterium frequently implicated in urinary tract infections (UTIs) and catheter-associated UTIs (CAUTIs).
- Its pathogenicity relies on a complex array of virulence factors contributing to colonization, immune evasion, and stone formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review known and newly discovered virulence factors of Proteus mirabilis involved in UTIs.
- To provide new insights into pathogenic mechanisms, focusing on previously under-described factors.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on Proteus mirabilis virulence.
- Synthesis of information on established and novel virulence factors, including hydrogenase systems, autotransporter proteins, ModA, and two-component systems.
Main Results:
- Identified key virulence factors such as fimbriae, flagella, urease, and lipopolysaccharides.
- Highlighted novel virulence factors including the hydrogenase system, autotransporter proteins, molybdate-binding protein ModA, and two-component systems.
- Detailed mechanisms of biofilm formation and their role in UTIs.
Conclusions:
- Understanding Proteus mirabilis virulence factors is crucial for developing effective treatments and vaccines for UTIs.
- Newly identified virulence factors present potential targets for clinical intervention and novel vaccine development.
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