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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
08:53
Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice
Published on: December 4, 2020
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Strain-level differences in Gardnerella urinary tract persistence and pathogenesis are consistent with comparative
Lokesh Kumar1, Sonia N Whang1, Robert F Potter2,3,4
1Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|September 26, 2025
Summary
Gardnerella strains show varied persistence and pathogenesis in the urinary tract. Clade 2 strains are most likely to persist, while clades 2 and 4 exhibit higher uropathogenic potential.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Urology
- Genomics
Background:
- Gardnerella, a bacterium common in the female urogenital tract, is linked to bacterial vaginosis (BV) and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Genetic diversity and limited in vivo data complicate understanding Gardnerella's role in urogenital pathogenesis.
- Previous studies suggest specific Gardnerella clades and virulence factors are associated with BV and urogenital infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the in vivo persistence and pathogenesis of diverse Gardnerella strains.
- To identify genomic variations associated with urinary tract colonization and disease.
- To correlate phylogenetic clades with observed in vivo phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of 18 Gardnerella clinical isolates from four clades into female mice.
- Monitoring bacteriuria and assessing pathological features in bladder tissues.
- Pan-genome phylogenetic analysis to link accessory genes with in vivo phenotypes and conservation across Gardnerella species.
Main Results:
- Gardnerella strains exhibited clade-specific differences in urinary tract persistence and pathogenesis.
- Clade 2 strains showed greater persistence, while clades 2 and 4 induced urothelial exfoliation.
- Pan-genome analysis identified 45 genes associated with in vivo persistence and pathogenicity, with clade 2 strains encoding more bacteriuria-associated genes.
Conclusions:
- In vivo data confirms differential urinary tract colonization and pathogenesis among Gardnerella clades.
- Clade 2 strains are predicted to be most persistent, and clades 2 and 4 possess the highest uropathogenic potential.
- Findings guide targeted screening and treatment for harmful Gardnerella urinary tract infections.
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