Why Can't You Get Rid Of UTI-Causing Bacteria When You Pee?

Aurinary tract infection(UTI ) typically take place whenE. colifrom feces heads for the vesica , and yet you ca n’t just flush the bacteria out when you pee . Researchers have now figured out why that does n’t work : The pathogen has tiny hooks , and when it find the wrench of urine rate of flow , it adjudge on pixilated . The findings are publish inNature Communicationsthis calendar week .

Many woman and some humans have suffered from a UTI at some detail in their lives . When the enteric bacteriumE. colitravels up the subway that empties urine from the vesica ( the urethra ) , it attaches to the surface of the urinary tract , causing excitement . It occurs in the bladder most of the prison term ( though infection can propagate to the kidneys ) , and the results are a non - stop urge to pee and a burning pain when you do .

Previous work revealed that the pathogenicE. colihas long , haircloth - like protrusions that are tip off with a protein address FimH – which spring a tiny hook . Now , to canvas the bind behaviour of the protein , University of Basel’sTimm Maierand confrere conducted biophysical and biomechanical tests on set-apart FimH molecules . Turns out , when   FimH adheres   to saccharify mote that surface the surface of cells , it   truss more tightly when faced with strong pliant forces – that same “ commit ” that ’s generated during micturition .

FimH has two part : one that binds to the sugar molecule and another , non - sugar binding part that baffle how tightly the first part binds . “ When the military group of the urine current pulls apart the two protein domains , the sugar binding site snaps close , ” Maier explains in astatement . “ However , when the pliant force subsides , the binding pocket reopens . ” When you stop peeing , the bacteria loosen their grip and travel up the urethra toward the vesica .

Right now , UTIs are mostly treated with antibiotics – in fact , they ’re the second most common intellect antibiotic drug are prescribed . But resistor to antibiotics is increase . These new findings might help researchers develop alternative drugs that target FimH attachment specifically for forbid the bacterium from hooking on in the first place .