Sex effects in pyelonephritis

Upregulation of C1QC as a Mediator of Blood-Brain Barrier Damage in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a neurovascular structure that safeguards the brain by inhibiting the passage of harmful substances. In individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the heightened blood glucose may cause damage to endothelial cells and neurons, increase collagen protein content, and elevate BBB permeability. Although the impact of blood glucose regulation on the structure and function of BBB has been documented, the exact mechanism remains incompletely elucidated. The primary aim of this investigation was to uncover the pivotal dysregulation of specific genes observed within the cerebral microvascular endothelial cells of diabetic patients, with a particular focus on understanding its biological implications in the disruption of the BBB. By integrating bioinformatics analysis, we identified C1QC as a potential upregulated marker. The expression level of C1QC was subsequently verified in both in vivo and in vitro models. Our experiments have discovered that, under diabetic conditions, suppressing C1QC leads to the mitigation of BBB damage. The presence of a high level of C1QC, through its binding to discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2), may trigger the activation of its downstream MMP9, a calcium-dependent enzyme that is capable of degrading protein components in the extracellular matrix, consequently leading to the structural and functional disruption of BBB. In summary, the findings of this study indicate that the aberrantly upregulated expression of C1QC may exert deleterious effects on the BBB under diabetes. To alleviate neurological impairments in individuals with T2DM, C1QC may emerge as a promising therapeutic target worthy of further investigation.

Overcoming challenges in the management of recurrent urinary tract infections

INTRODUCTION

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a major global health concern. While acute UTIs can usually be effectively treated, recurrent UTIs (rUTIs) impact patients for years, causing significant morbidity and can become refractory to front-line antibiotics.

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the risk factors associated with rUTI, current rUTI treatment paradigms, prophylactic strategies, and challenges in rUTI diagnostics. We specifically discuss common risk factors for rUTI, including biological sex, age, menopause status, and diabetes mellitus. We also review recently available evidence for commonly used treatments, from oral antibiotic therapy to intravesical antimicrobials, electrofulguration of chronic cystitis, and the last-resort treatment, cystectomy. We discuss the most current literature evaluating prophylactic strategies for rUTI including long-term antibiotic prophylaxis, estrogen hormone therapy, and dietary supplements. Finally, we address the important role of UTI diagnostics in effective rUTI management and review the strengths and limitations of both current and emerging UTI diagnostic platforms as well as their ability to operate at point-of-care.

EXPERT OPINION

We discuss the current challenges faced by clinicians in managing rUTI in women and the steps that should be taken so that clinicians, scientists, and patients can work together to better understand the disease and develop better strategies for its management.

Frequency and characteristics of seizures precipitated by febrile urinary tract infections in neonates and infants

BACKGROUND

A febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) is a minor febrile seizure (FS) determinant. Seizures precipitated by febrile UTIs in neonates and infants frequently surprise parents, as they are vulnerable to bacterial meningitis and younger than the usual ages of FS. However, their frequency and characteristics are relatively unknown.

METHODS

This study screened 1059 children (≤12 months) with febrile UTIs admitted to Chonnam National University Children's Hospital from January 2015 to June 2023. Patients with seizures precipitated by febrile UTIs were enrolled, and their medical records were reviewed. The frequency and clinical characteristics of seizures effectuated by febrile UTIs were investigated by comparing FS, FS+, and afebrile seizure (aFS).

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients (2.6%) were enrolled: 19 with early-onset FS+ (2.3% of 814 patients <6 months), nine with FS (3.7% of 245 patients), but there were none with aFS. Acute pyelonephritis was found in 80.8% of 26 patients. Clustered seizures (47.4% vs. 22.2% in FS, P = 0.197) and complex types (73.7% vs. 22.2%; P = 0.015) were frequent in early-onset FS+. Among 42 seizure episodes, bilateral tonic seizures were noted only in FS+ (44.8%; P = 0.001), but bilateral tonic-clonic seizures were frequent in FS (69.2% vs. 27.6%; P = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

Seizures precipitated by febrile UTIs occurred in 2.6% of neonates and infants: all were febrile and were predominantly with acute pyelonephritis. Infantile FS characteristics of febrile UTIs resembled those of usual FS, whereas early-onset FS + differed significantly as usually occurring in complex types and bilateral tonic ones.

Urinary Tract Infections in Children

Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for the evaluation, treatment, and management of urinary tract infections (UTIs), UTI diagnosis and management remains challenging for clinicians. Challenges with acute UTI management stem from vague presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic uncertainty, limitations in laboratory testing, and selecting appropriate antibiotic therapy in an era with increasing rates of antibiotic-resistant uropathogens. Recurrent UTI management remains difficult due to an incomplete understanding of the factors contributing to UTI, when to assess a child with repeated infections for kidney and urinary tract anomalies, and limited prevention strategies. To help reduce these uncertainties, this review provides a comprehensive overview of UTI epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies that may help pediatricians overcome the challenges associated with acute and recurrent UTI management.

Androgen exposure impairs neutrophil maturation and function within the infected kidney

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men are uncommon yet carry an increased risk for severe pyelonephritis and other complications. In models of Escherichia coli UTI, C3H/HeN mice develop high-titer pyelonephritis (most with renal abscesses) in a testosterone-dependent manner, but the mechanisms underlying this phenotype are unknown. Here, using female mouse models, we show that androgen exposure impairs neutrophil maturation in the upper and lower urinary tract, compounded by a reduction of neutrophil function within the infected kidney, enabling persistent high-titer infection and promoting abscess formation. Following intravesical inoculation with uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), kidneys of androgen-exposed C3H mice showed delayed local pro-inflammatory cytokine responses while robustly recruiting neutrophils. These were enriched for an end-organ-specific population of aged but immature neutrophils (CD49d+, CD101-). Compared to their mature counterparts, these aged immature kidney neutrophils exhibited reduced function in vitro, including impaired degranulation and diminished phagocytic activity, while splenic, bone marrow, and bladder neutrophils did not display these alterations. Furthermore, aged immature neutrophils manifested little phagocytic activity within intratubular UPEC communities in vivo. Experiments with B6 conditional androgen receptor (AR)-deficient mice indicated rescue of the maturation defect when AR was deleted in myeloid cells. We conclude that the recognized enhancement of UTI severity by androgens is attributable, at least in part, to local impairment of neutrophil maturation in the urinary tract (largely via cell-intrinsic AR signaling) and a kidney-specific reduction in neutrophil antimicrobial capacity.IMPORTANCEAlthough urinary tract infections (UTIs) predominantly occur in women, male UTIs carry an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Pyelonephritis in androgen-exposed mice features robust neutrophil recruitment and abscess formation, while bacterial load remains consistently high. Here, we demonstrate that during UTI, neutrophils infiltrating the urinary tract of androgen-exposed mice exhibit reduced maturation, and those that have infiltrated the kidney have reduced phagocytic and degranulation functions, limiting their ability to effectively control infection. This work helps to elucidate mechanisms by which androgens enhance UTI susceptibility and severity, illuminating why male patients may be predisposed to severe outcomes of pyelonephritis.

Differences in the epidemiology, management and outcomes of kidney disease in men and women

Improved understanding of differences in kidney disease epidemiology, management and outcomes in men and women could help nephrologists to better meet the needs of their patients from a sex- and gender-specific perspective. Evidence of sex differences in the risk and outcomes of acute kidney injury is mixed and dependent on aetiology. Women have a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5 than men, whereas men have a higher prevalence of albuminuria and hence CKD stages 1-2. Men show a faster decline in kidney function, progress more frequently to kidney failure and have higher mortality and risk of cardiovascular disease than women. However, the protective effect of female sex is reduced with CKD progression. Women are less likely than men to be aware of, screened for and diagnosed with CKD, started on antiproteinuric medication and referred to nephrologist care. They also consistently report a poorer health-related quality of life and a higher symptom burden than men. Women experience greater barriers than men to access the waiting list for kidney transplantation, particularly with respect to older age and obesity. However, women also have longer survival than men after transplantation, which may partly explain the comparable prevalence of transplantation between the sexes.

Survey of the infant male urobiome and genomic analysis of Actinotignum spp

The urinary bladder harbors a community of microbes termed the urobiome, which remains understudied. In this study, we present the urobiome of healthy infant males from samples collected by transurethral catheterization. Using a combination of enhanced culture and amplicon sequencing, we identify several common bacterial genera that can be further investigated for their effects on urinary health across the lifespan. Many genera were shared between all samples suggesting a consistent urobiome composition among this cohort. We note that, for this cohort, early life exposures including mode of birth (vaginal vs. Cesarean section), or prior antibiotic exposure did not influence urobiome composition. In addition, we report the isolation of culturable bacteria from the bladders of these infant males, including Actinotignum spp., a bacterial genus that has been associated with urinary tract infections in older male adults. Herein, we isolate and sequence 9 distinct strains of Actinotignum spp. enhancing the genomic knowledge surrounding this genus and opening avenues for delineating the microbiology of this urobiome constituent. Furthermore, we present a framework for using the combination of culture-dependent and sequencing methodologies for uncovering mechanisms in the urobiome.

Uropathogen and host responses in pyelonephritis

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections seen in clinical practice. The ascent of UTI-causing pathogens to the kidneys results in pyelonephritis, which can trigger kidney injury, scarring and ultimately impair kidney function. Despite sizable efforts to understand how infections develop or are cleared in the bladder, our appreciation of the mechanisms by which infections develop, progress or are eradicated in the kidney is limited. The identification of virulence factors that are produced by uropathogenic Escherichia coli to promote pyelonephritis have begun to fill this knowledge gap, as have insights into the mechanisms by which kidney tubular epithelial cells oppose uropathogenic E. coli infection to prevent or eradicate UTIs. Emerging data also illustrate how specific cellular immune responses eradicate infection whereas other immune cell populations promote kidney injury. Insights into the mechanisms by which uropathogenic E. coli circumvent host immune defences or antibiotic therapy to cause pyelonephritis is paramount to the development of new prevention and treatment strategies to mitigate pyelonephritis and its associated complications.

Defining the Infant Male Urobiome and Moving Towards Mechanisms in Urobiome Research

The urinary bladder harbors a community of microbes termed the urobiome, which remains understudied. In this study, we present the urobiome of healthy infant males from samples collected by transurethral catheterization. Using a combination of extended culture and amplicon sequencing, we identify several common bacterial genera that can be further investigated for their effects on urinary health across the lifespan. Many genera were shared between all samples suggesting a consistent urobiome composition among this cohort. We note that, for this cohort, early life exposures including mode of birth (vaginal vs. Caesarean section), or prior antibiotic exposure did not influence urobiome composition. In addition, we report the isolation of culturable bacteria from the bladders of these infant males, including Actinotignum schaalii, a bacterial species that has been associated with urinary tract infection in older male adults. Herein, we isolate and sequence 9 distinct strains of A. schaalii enhancing the genomic knowledge surrounding this species and opening avenues for delineating the microbiology of this urobiome constituent. Furthermore, we present a framework for using the combination of culture-dependent and sequencing methodologies for uncovering mechanisms in the urobiome.

Contraceptive exposure associates with urinary tract infection risk in a cohort of reproductive-age women: a case control study

PURPOSE

Although non-barrier contraception is commonly prescribed, the risk of urinary tract infections (UTI) with contraceptive exposure is unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using data from Vanderbilt University Medical Centre's deidentified electronic health record (EHR), women ages 18-52 were randomly sampled and matched based on age and length of EHR. This case-control analysis tested for association between contraception exposure and outcome using UTI-positive (UTI+) as cases and upper respiratory infection+ (URI+) as controls.

RESULTS

24,563 UTI + cases (mean EHR: 64.2 months; mean age: 31.2 years) and 48,649 UTI-/URI + controls (mean EHR: 63.2 months; mean age: 31.9 years) were analysed. In the primary analysis, UTI risk was statistically significantly increased for the oral contraceptive pill (OCP; OR = 1.10 [95%CI = 1.02-1.11], p ≤ 0.05), intrauterine device (IUD; OR = 1.13 [95%CI = 1.04-1.23], p ≤ 0.05), etonogestrel implant (Nexplanon^®; OR = 1.56 [95% CI = 1.24-1.96], p ≤ 0.05), and medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable (Depo-Provera^®; OR = 2.16 [95%CI = 1.99-2.33], p ≤ 0.05) use compared to women not prescribed contraception. A secondary analysis that included any non-IUD contraception, which could serve as a proxy for sexual activity, demonstrated a small attenuation for the association between UTI and IUD (OR = 1.09 [95%CI = 0.98-1.21], p = 0.13).

CONCLUSION

This study notes potential for a small increase in UTIs with contraceptive use. Prospective studies are required before this information is applied in clinical settings.

CONDENSATION

Although non-barrier contraception is commonly prescribed, the risk of urinary tract infections (UTI) with contraceptive exposure is poorly understood. This large-cohort, case-control study notes potential for a small increase in UTIs with contraceptive use.

Coagulase-negative Staphylococci: a rare cause of urinary tract infections in children with consequences on clinical practice

Isolation of coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) in urine cultures of children is usually considered a contamination of the sample, except for Staphylococcus saprophyticus in older children. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of children in whom CoNS was considered a true urinary pathogen. The medical records of all children aged 0 to 18 years at Shaare Zedek Medical Center between 2013 and 2020 who were diagnosed with CoNS urinary tract infection (UTI) were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and laboratory data. CoNS were identified as the causative organism of UTIs in 30 children, none of whom was bacteremic. Male sex, younger age, and infection with non-S. saprophyticus CoNS were associated with higher risk of pyelonephritis in comparison to cystitis. Eleven (37%) children had previously known or newly diagnosed underlying urinary tract abnormalities. All patients recovered. CoNS were found to be an uncommon urinary pathogen among children but can cause pyelonephritis, especially in young children and in males.Conclusion: The finding of CoNS pyelonephritis requires thorough search for urinary abnormalities.

The impact of biological sex on diseases of the urinary tract

Biological sex, being female or male, broadly influences diverse immune phenotypes, including immune responses to diseases at mucosal surfaces. Sex hormones, sex chromosomes, sexual dimorphism, and gender differences all contribute to how an organism will respond to diseases of the urinary tract, such as bladder infection or cancer. Although the incidence of urinary tract infection is strongly sex biased, rates of infection change over a lifetime in women and men, suggesting that accompanying changes in the levels of sex hormones may play a role in the response to infection. Bladder cancer is also sex biased in that 75% of newly diagnosed patients are men. Bladder cancer development is shaped by contributions from both sex hormones and sex chromosomes, demonstrating that the influence of sex on disease can be complex. With a better understanding of how sex influences disease and immunity, we can envision sex-specific therapies to better treat diseases of the urinary tract and potentially diseases of other mucosal tissues.