For the urinary tract to become infected Bacteria must first enter the urinary tract by attaching to the urinary tract lining. They then multiply and persist in the urinary tract, causing inflammation. This inflammation is what causes the animal to exhibit various urinary tract symptoms.
Therefore, if we are to prevent bacterial urinary tract infections, focusing on adhesion is the first thing to consider, called Anti-adhesive therapeutics. Anti-adhesive therapeutics uses a protein molecule called adhesin on bacterial fimbria (FimH), especially E. coli bacteria, which is found to be the most common cause of urinary tract infections, to bind to receptors on the urinary tract lining. When they stick together, bacteria can multiply and cause inflammation.
Therefore, anti-adhesive therapeutic works by binding certain substances to the bacterial FimH, preventing the bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract mucosa. Currently, two types of substances are being used to inhibit bacterial FimH, as follows:
1. Cranberry extract
It has been widely used in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in humans. Cranberry contains natural bioactive tannins, such as proanthocyanidin, which have the ability to inhibit the adhesion of FimH to the urinary tract lining. Studies have shown that cranberry extract can inhibit the adhesion of E. coli to kidney cells. In veterinary medicine, there are studies that do not show a statistically significant protective effect. However, whether the studies were conducted in humans or animals, the consensus is that no side effects were found from the use of the extract. Therefore, the use of cranberry extract is considered another option for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections.
2. D-mannose is a sugar that has antibacterial properties.
The presence of D-mannose in urine can inhibit the adhesion of bacteria to urinary tract epithelial cells because D-mannose binds to FimH adhesin, which has a structure similar to the receptor on the urinary tract epithelium. D-mannose competes with FimH to bind, preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract epithelium and being excreted in the urine.
Information from:
Dr. Sasipat Kittisarthamma (Dr. Muk)
Internal Medicine Center, Ultrasound Center
Veterinarian, Taling Chan Animal Hospital
References:
Wachira Hunprasit. (2021). Prevention of urinary tract infections. From https:// readvpn.com/Topic/Info/4812f658-9450-4371-87c7-8bbaac515f46.
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