Uropathogenic Escherichia coli niche occupancy determines the effects of mucosal vaccine against FimH.

ABSTRACT: In people with urinary tract infections (UTIs), uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) often colonizes the gut, forming a reservoir and contributing to recurrent UTIs. Mucosal immunization targeting UPEC within the gut presents a promising antibiotic-sparing strategy to prevent UTIs by depleting this reservoir. The FimH adhesin that tips type 1 pili is a critical virulence factor in UTI and aids in gut colonization. Here, we assess the potential of a FimH mucosal vaccine to reduce UPEC gut colonization in mice. Our findings show that vaccine-induced depletion of an introduced UPEC strain was influenced by microbial competition from pre-established microbes. This competition partially restricted the incoming UPEC strain to the mucus, where immunization was associated with reduced FimH expres

SUBMITTER: Santiago-Borges JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12447472 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature