Abstract

POTENTIAL IMPACT OF PROBIOTICS IN URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Viji Queen*, Ashli Raj Vetttikkadan and Sambathkumar Ramanathan

ABSTRACT

Probiotics are living microorganisms such as yeasts and bacteria that can be formulated into many different types of product which will produce beneficial effects to the host. UTI is in simple words the existence of microorganisms in the urinary tract that is, infection of urinary tract. The organisms present in the urinary tract may assault the tissues of urinary tract and the adjacent tissues, occurring 40 to 50% of adult women mainly caused by E.coli a gram negative cocci. For women, the chance of getting UTI is higher than men. A detailed literature review was done to find research articles on impact of probiotics on UTIs in women. Antibiotics are the drug of choices for UTIs. For the treatment of UTI drugs like penicillins, sulphanilamide and cephalosporins like cephalexin have been used, but irrational antibiotics use may lead to the development of resistant strains among the uropathogens. The bacterial flora present in the skin and mucosal surfaces acts as a significant barrier against infection. In the management of UTI the capacity of probiotic use has long been measured and is now supported by increasing clinical evidence for a growing number of definite strains. It is concluded that there is a direct tie between the loss of the normal genital flora, particularly Lactobacillus species, and an increased occurrence of UTIs. So the repletion of normal flora is valuable in the management of UTI.

Keywords: genital microbiota, probiotics, uropathogens.