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Changes in Uropathogen Distribution in Relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic Timeline
Miriam Tadros1, Bernadette Lemmon2, Alka Bhide2
1Urogynaecology Department, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust, Praed Street, London, W2 1NY, UK. miriam.tadros@nhs.net.
International Urogynecology Journal
|June 20, 2026
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic altered urinary tract infection pathogens in women. Escherichia coli decreased, while Klebsiella, Corynebacterium, and Acinetobacter species increased, suggesting a link to gut microbiome changes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- COVID-19 impacts the gastrointestinal microbiome, causing dysbiosis and immune dysregulation.
- Gut microbiome alterations can influence the bladder microbiome, increasing UTI risk.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, often caused by gut-origin bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in uropathogen composition during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the prevalence of common UTI-causing bacteria in women.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of positive urine cultures from women.
- Comparison of uropathogen data from pre-pandemic, during-pandemic, and post-pandemic periods.
- Identification of the top three causative uropathogens exceeding 10^3 CFU/mL.
Main Results:
- Significant shifts in uropathogen prevalence were observed post-May 2023.
- Escherichia coli prevalence decreased from 27% to 21%, and Pseudomonas spp. from 6% to 2%.
- Klebsiella spp. incidence rose from 8% to 12%, with increased isolation of Corynebacterium spp. and Acinetobacter spp.
Conclusions:
- The bacterial profile of UTIs in women has changed following the COVID-19 pandemic.
- These shifts may be linked to pandemic-induced alterations in the gut microbiome.
- Further research is needed to understand the interaction between gut dysbiosis and pathological UTIs.
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