Understanding the potential of lactobacilli in recurrent UTI prevention

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections in women. The only proven preventive strategy for recurrent UTIs is prophylactic antibiotics. Given growing antibiotic resistance, the use of probiotics has been proposed as an alternative to antibiotics. Herein, we discuss the current evidence to support the possibility that exogenous lactobacilli may limit the pathogenicity of uropathogens such as E. coli. Probiotics appear to have a significant potential in prevention of recurrent UTI, however, additional data are needed to understand how they can be effectively used in clinical practice.

Keywords: Efficacy; Lactobacilli; Prevention; Probiotics; Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI); Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC).