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Updated: May 1, 2026
Urinary Tract Infection in a Small Animal Model: Transurethral Catheterization of Male and Female Mice
Published on: December 1, 2017
Hyperosmolarity of mouse urine confounds research in urinary tract infection
Kristian Stærk1,2, Janni Søvsø Hjelmager3,4, Rasmus Birkholm Grønnemose3,4
1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. Kristian.staerk@rsyd.dk.
Abstract:
Mice have been used as models of urinary tract infection (UTI) for decades and laid the basis for the fundamental understanding of UTI pathogenesis in humans. Here we report that the high urine osmolarity of mice impacts key aspects of Escherichia coli UTI pathogenesis and represents a confounder for the translation of results to humans.
Insights
Mouse models of urinary tract infection (UTI) are crucial but high urine osmolarity in mice significantly alters Escherichia coli pathogenesis. This finding highlights a key confounder impacting the translation of UTI research findings from mice to humans.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Models
Background:
- Mice are established models for studying urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Previous research using mouse models has significantly advanced understanding of UTI pathogenesis in humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of high urine osmolarity in mice on Escherichia coli UTI pathogenesis.
- To identify potential confounding factors in mouse models that affect the translatability of UTI research to human studies.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of Escherichia coli pathogenesis in mice with varying urine osmolarity.
- Assessment of key UTI pathogenesis aspects influenced by urinary physiological differences.
Main Results:
- High urine osmolarity in mice demonstrably affects critical elements of Escherichia coli UTI pathogenesis.
- This physiological difference represents a significant confounder for translating mouse UTI model results to human clinical relevance.
Conclusions:
- The high urine osmolarity of mouse models is a critical factor influencing UTI pathogenesis.
- Researchers must consider this osmolarity difference to improve the accuracy and translational validity of mouse models for human UTIs.
