An “omics” approach to uropathogenic Escherichia coli vaccinology (original) (raw)

Urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria, most commonly uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) [1], contaminate the periurethral area and traverse the urethra to colonize the bladder. Left untreated, UPEC ascend the ureters and establish a secondary infection in the kidney parenchyma. At this juncture, UPEC can elicit serious complications including renal scarring, septicemia, and even death. While young women are the most affected population, children, elderly, and hospitalized individuals are also at high risk. Up to 30% of patients experience recurrent episodes, contributing to billions of dollars spent annually to treat these infections . Given the paucity of recent vaccine developments, the increasing rate of UPEC antibiotic resistance, and the need to reduce healthcare expenditures, new avenues of UTI vaccine research need to be explored.