Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
09:50
Detection of Tissue-resident Bacteria in Bladder Biopsies by 16S rRNA Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
Published on: October 18, 2019
Bladder mucosal afferents detect UTI and aid pathogen clearance
Cindy Tay1, Harman Sharma1, Stewart Ramsay2,3
1College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
Summary
Bladder mucosal sensory nerves do not affect normal bladder function but become hypersensitive during urinary tract infections (UTIs). These nerves drive pain and urinary frequency, aiding bacterial clearance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Urology
- Immunology
Background:
- The bladder's sensory innervation regulates urine storage, voiding, and sensation.
- Stretch-insensitive afferents in the bladder mucosa's role in sensation and function is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of bladder mucosal afferents in bladder sensation and function.
- To determine the contribution of these afferents in healthy conditions and during urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Main Methods:
- Developed a mouse model of selective bladder mucosal afferent denervation using resiniferatoxin.
- Assessed sensory nerve activity and bladder function in healthy mice and a UTI model induced by *Escherichia coli*.
Main Results:
- Mucosal afferents did not affect bladder distension or voiding in healthy mice.
- During UTI, these afferents became hypersensitive, driving pelvic pain and urinary frequency.
- These responses contributed to bacterial clearance.
Conclusions:
- Bladder mucosal afferents are not essential for normal bladder function but are key sensors during pathogenic challenges.
- These afferents drive behavioral responses that help reduce UTI burden and extent.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
01:30Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
01:26The Micturition Reflex
Urination, or micturition involves the coordination of the bladder's detrusor muscle and two sphincters to ensure controlled bladder emptying.
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
01:25Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) encompasses several progressive stages, beginning with bacterial colonization and culminating in potential systemic complications if untreated. UTIs are primarily initiated by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, which often originate from the gastrointestinal tract and migrate to the urinary system through the periurethral area. This migration can occur via several routes, including improper hygiene practices, sexual activity, or...
01:26Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test
A urine culture and sensitivity test is a diagnostic procedure used to identify urinary tract bacterial infections and determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment. This test is generally preferred when a patient shows manifestations of a urinary tract infection, such as frequent or painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or lower abdominal pain.Purpose of the TestThe primary goals of a urine culture and sensitivity test are to:Determine the specific bacteria causing the...
01:23Urinary Bladder
The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...