Molecular Mechanisms of Group B Streptococcus Urinary Tract Infection and Adaptability to Growth in Human Urine

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Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Ulett, Glen
Other Supervisors
Cripps, Allan
Year published
2015
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Show full item recordAbstract
Bacteriuria, or the presence of bacteria in urine, is associated with both asymptomatic, as well as symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) and underpins much of the dynamic of microbial colonization of the urinary tract. The prevalence of bacteriuria in dissimilar patient groups such as healthy adults, institutionalized elderly, pregnant women, and immune-compromised patients varies widely. In addition, assessing the importance of ‘significant bacteriuria’ in infected individuals represents a diagnostic challenge, partly due to various causal microbes, and requires careful consideration of the distinct etiologies of ...
View more >Bacteriuria, or the presence of bacteria in urine, is associated with both asymptomatic, as well as symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) and underpins much of the dynamic of microbial colonization of the urinary tract. The prevalence of bacteriuria in dissimilar patient groups such as healthy adults, institutionalized elderly, pregnant women, and immune-compromised patients varies widely. In addition, assessing the importance of ‘significant bacteriuria’ in infected individuals represents a diagnostic challenge, partly due to various causal microbes, and requires careful consideration of the distinct etiologies of bacteriuria in different populations and circumstances. Recent molecular discoveries have revealed how some bacterial traits can enable organisms to grow in human urine, which, as a fitness adaptation, is likely to influence the progression of bacteriuria in some individuals. This study was designed as a comprehensive analysis of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) causal organisms in dissimilar populations, and an in-depth microbiological analysis of the mechanisms used by one such causal organism, Streptococcus agalactiae. This organism causes UTI including ABU; however, growth of S. agalactiae in human urine has not been reported. In the first part of this study, we evaluate the prevalence and etiology of bacteruria, and discuss recent advances in the molecular detection of bacteriuria from a diagnostic viewpoint.
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View more >Bacteriuria, or the presence of bacteria in urine, is associated with both asymptomatic, as well as symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) and underpins much of the dynamic of microbial colonization of the urinary tract. The prevalence of bacteriuria in dissimilar patient groups such as healthy adults, institutionalized elderly, pregnant women, and immune-compromised patients varies widely. In addition, assessing the importance of ‘significant bacteriuria’ in infected individuals represents a diagnostic challenge, partly due to various causal microbes, and requires careful consideration of the distinct etiologies of bacteriuria in different populations and circumstances. Recent molecular discoveries have revealed how some bacterial traits can enable organisms to grow in human urine, which, as a fitness adaptation, is likely to influence the progression of bacteriuria in some individuals. This study was designed as a comprehensive analysis of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) causal organisms in dissimilar populations, and an in-depth microbiological analysis of the mechanisms used by one such causal organism, Streptococcus agalactiae. This organism causes UTI including ABU; however, growth of S. agalactiae in human urine has not been reported. In the first part of this study, we evaluate the prevalence and etiology of bacteruria, and discuss recent advances in the molecular detection of bacteriuria from a diagnostic viewpoint.
View less >
Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
School of Medical Science
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Subject
Bacteriuria
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Group B Streptococcus
Human Urine