Bookmark and Share

Progress Made Toward Vaccine for Urinary Infections

FRIDAY, Sept. 18 (HealthDay News) -- A vaccine to prevent urinary tract infections shows early promise in tests on mice, according to University of Michigan researchers.

For two decades, researchers have been trying to develop a vaccine to prevent urinary tract infections, which afflict about 53 percent of women and 14 percent of men at least once in their lives, according to background information in a university news release.

The researchers screened more than 5,000 bacterial proteins and identified three strong candidates to use in a vaccine to fight Escherichia coli, the cause of most uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

The new vaccine, administered in the nose, alerts the immune system to iron receptors on the surface of bacteria that play a major role in the spread of urinary tract infection. When tested in mice, the vaccine prevented infection and produced key types of immunity.

The study appears Sept. 18 in the journal PLoS Pathogens.

Each year in the United States, urinary tract infections lead to a large number of lost work days, 6.8 million medical office visits, 1.3 million emergency room visits and 245,000 hospitalizations, resulting in an estimated total annual cost of $2.4 billion, according to information from the university.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has more about urinary tract infection.



Prescriptions DON'T HAVE Rx COVERAGE?
Click Here to print out your FREE OPTIMIZERx Card and instantly begin savings on your next prescriptions!
Send us Feedback!


Need to Sign up?
It's Easy and Free!



Signup & Save  

Already a Member?
Login Here!


Get Selected Offers

As a FREE member of our community,
you will have instant access to:


Click the Play Button to Learn More

Free Rx coupons, trial vouchers, samples & other special savings

Alerts on future savings & support on selected meds & health products

Health Savings Newsletters

Tips , videos & Information to better manage your health conditions

Community Forums


Close Window