Urine Isn’t Free of Bacteria

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Though it’s commonly believed that urine is bacteria-free, normal urine is not sterile, a new study finds.

“Clinicians previously equated the presence of bacteria in urine to infections. The discovery of bacteria in the urine of healthy females provides an opportunity to advance our understanding of bladder health and disease,” study author Alan Wolfe, a professor in the department of microbiology and immunology at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, said in a university news release.

Instead of collecting urine samples from a woman’s urine stream, the researchers used catheters to collect urine directly from the bladder.

Testing this way revealed that bacteria were present in urine taken from the bladders of healthy women. The researchers also found that some of those bacteria may contribute to urinary leakage or a loss of bladder control (incontinence).

Additionally, the study found that some types of bacteria are more common in women with urinary incontinence.

“While traditional urine cultures have been the gold standard to identify urine disorders in the past, they do not detect most bacteria and have limited utility as a result. “They are not as comprehensive as the testing techniques used in this study,” Wolfe explained.

“Physicians and researchers must reassess their assumptions surrounding the cause of lower urinary tract disorders and consider new approaches to prevent and treat these debilitating health issues,” Wolfe said.

The study was published recently in the journal European Urology.

“If we can determine that select bacteria cause various lower urinary tract symptoms, we may be able to better identify those women at risk and more effectively treat them,” study co-author Dr. Linda Brubaker, dean and chief diversity officer at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, said in the news release.

More information

The U.S. Office on Women’s Health has more about urinary incontinence.

Source: HealthDay

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