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Urinary Microbiota in Female Patients With Dry and Wet Overactive Bladder (OAB)
Xiao Chen1, Hui Zou2, Jia Wang2
1Department of Urology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, spph-sx.com.
International Journal of Genomics
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Overactive bladder (OAB) patients exhibit altered urinary microbiota, with reduced diversity and a shift in bacterial composition compared to healthy individuals. Wet-type OAB is associated with increased Gardnerella and decreased Lactobacillus.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Microbiology
- Genitourinary Medicine
Background:
- Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition affecting many women.
- The role of the urinary microbiota in OAB pathophysiology is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the urinary microbiota composition between female OAB patients and healthy controls.
- To investigate the impact of urinary incontinence status (wet vs. dry) on the urinary microbiota in OAB patients.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples were collected from female OAB patients (OABSS > 3) and healthy controls.
- 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to analyze the urinary microbiota.
- Bioinformatic techniques were used for data analysis.
Main Results:
- OAB patients displayed lower alpha diversity and lacked dominant bacterial communities compared to controls.
- In wet-type OAB patients, Gardnerella was significantly more abundant, while Lactobacillus was decreased.
- The control group showed a higher abundance of Lactobacillus compared to OAB patients.
Conclusions:
- Female OAB patients exhibit a distinct urinary microbiota profile characterized by reduced diversity.
- Urinary incontinence status significantly influences the urinary microbiota in OAB, with wet-type OAB associated with a specific bacterial shift.
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