Probiotics for UTI - A Look at the Research

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a type of bacterial infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary system, including the bladder, urethra, ureters, and kidneys. Although the urinary tract is designed to keep out harmful bacteria these defences sometimes fail, allowing microscopic invaders to take hold, which can grow into a UTI infection.

Read on to delve into the research to date behind probiotics for UTI prevention:

• Urinary Tract Infections: Statistics
• Symptoms of UTI
• What causes a UTI?
• What is the urinary microbiome?
• What factors affect the urinary microbiome?
• What does the urinary microbiome do?
• Which are the best probiotics for cystitis?
• Which is the best probiotic for UTI?
• How can I avoid a UTI?

Urinary Tract Infections: Statistics

We are seeing the incidence rates of UTIs increase annually. A global study in 2013 found over 92 million people suffered with UTIs worldwide¹. Furthermore, the study found a 16% rise in UTI numbers from 1990 to 2013. In the UK, UTIs in the primary care system have increased 102% from 2001 to 2011², and in 2011, the Health Protection Agency estimated 14% of all antibiotics prescribed were for UTIs. This costs the NHS at least £124 million a year^{3, 4}.

Symptoms of UTI

Anyone can suffer with a UTI, from babies to the elderly. The risk increases as you get older and women are at higher risk than men. Sometimes genetics also play a role in your susceptibility. It is estimated that 50-60% of women will develop at least one UTI in their lifetime⁵. It is less common for children and babies to get UTIs, but if you suspect your child might be suffering with one, they should always be seen by a GP.

Symptoms can include:

• Urinating more frequently
• Pain or burning feeling when urinating
• Changes to urine – smell, cloudiness or presence of blood
• Pain in lower abdominal area
• Fatigue/low energy and a high temperature

Symptoms can sometimes be embarrassing for the individual and affect their quality of life if the infection is recurring or not treated.

UTIs do not always clear on their own. The NHS states if symptoms have not cleared after a few days, it is worth visiting your GP as you will likely needs antibiotics.

People often confuse a UTI and cystitis – essentially, cystitis is a specific type of UTI that affects the bladder. To learn more about probiotics and cystitis, read the article Could probiotics help with cystitis?

What causes a UTI?

The World Health Organisation states that UTIs may occur either because of the virulence of the pathogen causing the disease, the susceptibility of the host or a combination of both factors.

UTIs are caused by pathogenic (harmful) bacteria that enter the urinary tract area. They are most commonly caused by Escherichia coli but other pathogens may also cause infection. These include Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecalis, Group B Streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp.^{5, 6}. The most commonly accepted theory is that pathogens are able to travel from the gut to the uro-genital tract. They translocate across the perineum, and ascend to the bladder via the urethra. Here they can cause cystitis. Emerging research has shown links between the urinary microbiome and microbiota of orther organs, including the gut²⁵.

Some pathogens are able to further migrate and travel to the kidneys via the ureters. This is why women are more at risks of UTIs, as their urethra is much shorter and closer to the anus. Interestingly, it has been shown in women who have recurrent UTIs, their daughters are at a higher risk of UTIs⁷.

To be successful, pathogens must display specific virulence factors in order to cause disease. They often require flagella (tail-like structures) to help them move from the genital region across to the urethra and bladder. Once there, they must be able to adhere well to the bladder lining, meaning they require specific attachment molecules (pili).

They must also be able to tolerate an immune response from the body, and one of the ways they can do this is through biofilm formation⁶. A biofilm is a protective layer (made from a mix of proteins and polysaccharides) that bacteria can produce around themselves. It makes an antibiotic’s (find out more about taking antibiotics with probiotics) job very difficult, as it is hard to penetrate and target the bacteria hidden inside. Once protected by the biofilm, pathogens can then produce toxins which can result in inflammation and tissue damage.

The ability to cause disease will depend on the virulence factors mentioned above, but some pathogens may be thwarted before causing disease if the environment they are entering – the urinary microbiome – is well-protected.

What is the urinary microbiome?

Scientists believed for many years that the urinary tract was sterile, until very recently. Thanks to advanced technologies in metagenomics, research has shown that certain microbes do exist in the urinary tract, albeit at low numbers. The most common genera present are Lactobacillus (the most dominant genus), Gardnerella, Cornyebacterium, Streptococcus, Actinomyces and Staphylococcus^8-10. This differs to the microbiomes found in the gut, mouth and skin, and, like most of these human microbiomes, the urinary microbiome is unique to each individual.

Despite this, there are some similarities between the urinary and vaginal microbiome. Both regions are dominant in lactobacilli and some of the genera present are similar. However, it is not clear how these microbiomes interact with one another.

Generally, no definitive healthy urinary microbiome has been defined, however some suggestions have been posited. A study in 2013 looked at how the urinary microbiome can differ between individuals of different age and genders¹¹. The researchers proposed that actually a ‘core’ microbiome can be observed, but may differ slightly depending on age. A core profile was seen across all women, but additional types of bacteria were seen within the different age groups (20-49, 50-69 and 70 years+), especially in the eldest age group.

Furthermore, the average total number of bacteria decreased as age increased, for both women and men. They also found that women have a different urinary microbiome to men, with women displaying a wider diversity of microbes. Similar results have also been shown in additional studies^12-14. Although these results are interesting, it should be noted that the sample size used for this initial study was small, and more research is needed to ascertain differences in urinary microbiome composition.

What factors affect the urinary microbiome?

As mentioned above, a number of different things can influence our urinary microbiomes. These include:

• Gender
• Age
• Dehydration¹⁴
• Antibiotics^{14, 15}
• Urinary incontinence¹⁶
• Sexual activity¹⁷
• Blood sugar levels & diabetes¹⁸
• Vaginal health¹⁹

There could also be many more. Research is still in its early days. It is likely that factors which affect vaginal health could also influence urinary health (hormones, perfumed products, tight clothing, douching etc.). This is supported by a study in 2009, in which the researchers showed that women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) had an increased risk of developing a UTI¹⁹. This could explain why menopausal women are at a higher risk of UTIs. As oestrogen levels drop, numbers of lactobacilli in the vaginal tract drop too, thus increasing the likelihood of BV.

It is not surprising that antibiotics impact the urinary microbiome, as antibiotics are damaging on commensal organisms in the gut and vaginal tract. They are not very selective, and as such often kill and inhibit bacteria they are not directly targeting. When this happens, it can lead to bacterial imbalances (dysbiosis). It also provides opportunities for potentially harmful bacteria to flourish and can make the individual vulnerable to infection.

What does the urinary microbiome do?

The importance of the microbiome has been extensively studied in the gut and vagina, but less is known about the benefits of the urinary microbiome. As the urethra opens to the external outside environment, the urinary tract is potentially more exposed and vulnerable. The urinary microbiome may be able to offer protective benefits.

In the gut and vaginal tract, the microbiomes support the host in many ways, one of which is protecting against infection from pathogenic microbes. This is also thought to be the case in the urinary tract. Commensal organisms can adhere to and line the epithelial cells in the urinary tract. This forms a protective barrier, obstructing pathogenic organisms from binding, and reducing the risk of biofilm formation.

Commensals might also be able to compete with pathogens for nutrients as well as produce anti-microbial substances such as lactic acid and bacteriocins. This may reduce the overall risk of infection by pathogens.

In the gut, the microbiome and immune system are in constant communication. There are some immune cells located in the urinary tract, but there has been little research documenting this relationship.

Another thing to consider is that the urinary microbiome will come into contact with high levels of toxins. Toxins that have been removed from the bloodstream through kidney filtration get stored in the bladder. This interaction between the toxins and microbes may impact risks of diseases, though again, there is limited research investigating this¹⁴.

All of this considered, if probiotics can be used as an intervention in the gut and vaginal microbiomes, then could they be used in the urinary microbiome for UTIs, too?

Which are the best probiotics for cystitis?

Cystitis refers to inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by infection, whereas a UTI is an infection of any part of the urinary tract including the bladder (cystitis), ureters or urethra. It mostly occurs in sexually active women; for some it is rare and for others it can happen several times a year.

Symptoms include a frequent sensation of needing to pass urine even when little or no urine is present, blood in the urine, painful urination, backache, lower abdominal pain, and nausea. Women can help prevent cystitis by drinking plenty of water, taking cranberry supplements or sugar-free juice, wiping correctly after going to the toilet, and always urinating as soon as possible after sexual intercourse. Some women find that using condoms can help avoid infection. Short-term antibiotics are often prescribed for serious bouts of cystitis.

Much evidence suggests that maintaining a healthy balance of beneficial microflora in the intestinal & vaginal passages can reduce the risk of UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections)1. UTIs like cystitis are caused by pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli. Treatments for UTIs are limited and many women who suffer with urinary tract issues seek other measures to support their intimate health. Ensuring a good level of probiotics in the gut can diminish the ability of pathogenic bacteria to bind, multiply and colonise, therefore leading to less chance of developing cystitis. This is partly why high volumes of water intake is recommended as both a prevention and a remedy for cystitis; because water flushes pathogens out of the system. 

Clinical trials have shown that a number of strains of Lactobacillus are particularly effective at helping to support vaginal health in those with female intimate health problems such as cystitis. A study2 showed that taking a probiotic containing various strains of Lactobacillus, amongst other interventions including cranberry tablets, resulted in significant health improvements and symptom relief.

Both Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1^® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14^® can be found in Optibac Probiotics For Women.

For Women (30 capsules)

These specific strains (in particular Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14®) have been clinically trialled to survive transit through the gut, and then successfully colonise the vagina and bladder where they exert their beneficial effects3. In a large clinical trial4 involving 252 post-menopausal women, it was found that after a period of twelve months, the occurrence of UTIs was reduced by 50% in the women who were given a combination of the above two strains. This was equally as effective as antibiotic treatment, but in those who were treated with antibiotics there was also a 90% rate of antibiotic resistance. This demonstrates that probiotics could perform to the same standard as antibiotics, without the risk of pathogens developing resistance.

Which is the Best Probiotic for UTI?

Due to the potential protective role of the urinary microbiome against UTIs, there might be an opportunity to intervene with probiotics. Approximately 20-30% of women will suffer with recurring UTIs throughout their lives²⁰. Antibiotic treatments are usually given, but antibiotic resistance is becoming an increasing problem globally, and other treatment options can be limited for some women. Probiotics could offer a solution in this case, to reduce the need for antibiotics and potentially enhance the action of any antibiotics used.

A large, double-blind, randomised trial published in 2008 showed a probiotic combination able to reduce the number of UTIs per year²¹. The one-year study included 252 postmenopausal women with a history of recurrent UTIs. The women were split into two groups, and were either given a probiotic combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1^® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14^® or an antibiotic (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) to take daily over the year. Results showed the number of UTIs had halved in both groups.

In the antibiotic group, UTIs had dropped from 7 to 2.9 UTIs per year, and in the probiotic group, UTIs had dropped from 6.8 to 3.3 UTIs per year. Additionally, antibiotic resistance had increased in the antibiotic group from starting values of 20-40% up to 80-95%. No resistance was observed in the probiotic group. These results could have been due to the fact that these probiotic strains were initially isolated in the urogenital tract.

As such, they exhibit high adherence capabilities and are able to support the probiotic barrier effect. They’ve also been shown to exhibit high anti-microbial activity against E. coli and produce the antimicrobials required to inhibit pathogens and breakdown pathogen biofilms.

Another trial looking at these specific strains (L. rhamnosus GR-1^® and L. reuteri RC-14^®) was conducted in premenopausal women²². This study found a reduction in recurring UTIs from 47% to 21% during a 6-month period. A similar study investigating L. rhamnosus GR-1^® and L. reuteri B-54 were also able to significantly reduce the number of recurring UTIs in premenopausal women from 6 to 1.6 UTIs per year²³.

A different double-blind study looked investigated 100 premenopausal women that had all suffered with at least 1 UTI in the last year²⁴. The women were randomised and were given either a probiotic (Lactobacillus crispatus) or placebo following antibiotic treatment for a UTI. In the probiotic group, a recurrent UTI occurred in 15% of the women compared to 27% in the placebo group. Furthermore, the vaginal tract showed higher levels of colonisation with the probiotic.

A study in 2014 showed the urinary microbiome may also be linked to urge urinary incontinence (UUI)¹⁶. This study also found that a commensal organism, L. crispatus, is associated with a lack of symptoms for UUI. The exact mode of action is unknown, but it was suggested that this protective influence could come from the barrier effect of the species. There could also be a connection between the urinary microbiome and brain, like the gut-brain axis, this may also affect UUI. L. crispatus has also been shown to have high anti-microbial activity against E.coli and Candida albicans¹⁸.

The studies investigating probiotics and UTIs are mixed – some have shown very promising and exciting effects, whilst others have reported little. It is therefore essential to select probiotics that have been well-researched to reach the intimate area and have good adherence qualities. Choose strains that have research for intimate health, specifically UTIs, such as those detailed above.

How can I avoid a UTI?

There are a number of things that women in particular can do to look after your urinary health and limit the instances of UTIs, including:

• Remain properly hydrated
• Look after your vagina (visit the Probiotics Learning Lab to read more about vaginal health)
• Take a probiotic formulated for intimate health (find out more about different types of probiotics)
• Try and pass urine after sex
• Try supplements such as D-mannose or cranberry juice (though please note, there are mixed reviews on the effectiveness of cranberry juice for UTIs)
• Eat a balanced diet, high in fibre
• Look after your gut health

Practising good health and hygiene are always a good way to maintain your wellbeing. If you are concerned about any symptoms you may be experiencing, it’s always a good idea to see a doctor.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1^®  can be found in Optibac Probiotics For Women.

For further reading, you may be interested in the following articles:

New research: Probiotics vs antibiotic resistance

Could probiotics help with sexual health?

Kidney infections – could probiotics help?

Healthcare professionals can read about these strains on the Probiotics Database: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14^®

References

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