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The human urinary microbiome and how it relates to urogynecology

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Recent studies applying molecular techniques have demonstrated the presence of a urinary microbiota not detected by standard microbiological techniques. These have been found in the urine of healthy individuals and in those suffering from clinical symptoms. The present article reviews the findings of these studies to date, describing the molecular techniques, and specifically outlining any differences in microbiomes in relation to urogynecological disease. Further, the role of commensal bacteria in the lower urinary tract is considered.

Methods

An extensive literature search was conducted to identify articles on the microbiome of the female urinary tract in health and disease. We searched the electronic meta-databases Ovid MEDLINE® 1946–2015 and Embase 1974–2015. The keywords “microbiome, microbiota, bacterial colonization, microbiology, commensal bacteria, and bacteriuria” were searched in combination with “lower urinary tract symptoms, urogenital symptoms, urinary tract infection, overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.” A total of 426 papers were retrieved; 33 were included in this paper.

Results

The microbiome of the female lower urinary tract shows variance between individuals and between age groups. There are significant differences between the microbiota in the lower urinary tract of individuals with urological symptoms and those without, relating to type and proportion of commensal Lactobacillus spp. There is only weak evidence to suggest that Lactobacillus might be applied as a therapeutic measure.

Conclusions

It is still unclear what role microbiota plays in female urinary tract health. The discovery of bacteria in the urine of healthy individuals may have implications for future therapies for lower urinary tract symptoms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Danube Hospital/SMZ-Ost, Langobardenstrasse 122, 1220, Vienna, Austria

    Jenifer Schneeweiss

  2. Department of General Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Marianne Koch & Wolfgang Umek

  3. Multidisciplinary Continence and Pelvic Floor Center, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Wolfgang Umek

  4. Karl Landsteiner Institute for Specific Gynecology and Obstetrics, Silbergasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria

    Wolfgang Umek

Authors
  1. Jenifer Schneeweiss
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  2. Marianne Koch
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  3. Wolfgang Umek
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jenifer Schneeweiss.

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Conflicts of interest

W. Umek has received research grants and a speaker honorarium from Pfizer, Astellas, and Innovacell. J. Schneeweiss and M. Koch declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Glossary

Microbiota

The ecological community of commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms that literally share a niche

Microbiome

The collective genomes of the microorganisms that reside in an environmental niche

Genus

The usual major subdivision of a family or subfamily in the classification of organisms, usually consisting of more than one species

Commensal

living in a relationship in which one organism derives food or other benefits from another organism without hurting or helping it

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Schneeweiss, J., Koch, M. & Umek, W. The human urinary microbiome and how it relates to urogynecology. Int Urogynecol J 27, 1307–1312 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-016-2944-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-016-2944-5

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