Effect Of Cranberry Extract On Bacteriuria and Pyuria in Persons With Neurogenic Bladder Secondary To Spinal Cord Injury

Cranberry is not effective for the prevention or treatment of urinary tract infections in individuals with spinal cord injury

“…3,4 Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common medical complication experienced by individuals living with SCI. [5][6][7][8][9][10] UTIs are a problem during initial hospitalization, after discharge 5,11 and are a main cause of rehospitalization in this population. 12 Individuals will suffer from a symptomatic UTI at some point after disability 13 and will experience between 1.82 and 2.6 symptomatic UTIs per year.…”

“…14,15,17 These factors commonly cause chronic or recurrent bacteriuria, which may remain asymptomatic or progress to symptomatic UTI. 5 Treating UTIs can be complicated because of polymicrobial bacteria, multi-drug-resistant bacteria, side effects of the drugs themselves, and recolonization of the bladder once treatment is discontinued. 5,[17][18][19] Multi-drug-resistant bacteria can result in life-threatening complications.…”

“…5 Treating UTIs can be complicated because of polymicrobial bacteria, multi-drug-resistant bacteria, side effects of the drugs themselves, and recolonization of the bladder once treatment is discontinued. 5,[17][18][19] Multi-drug-resistant bacteria can result in life-threatening complications. 1 As a result, asymptomatic bacteriuria is frequently left untreated until it becomes symptomatic as asymptomatic bacteriuria is not associated with adverse urological outcomes in the SCI population.…”

“…19,20 Concerns regarding the overuse of antibiotics in individuals with SCI has prompted consideration for consumer-directed alternatives to improve urinary tract health. 5,18,19 Dietary supplement use is high in the SCI population, and preventing UTIs is the primary reason for taking cranberry. 21 Cranberry is thought to improve urinary tract health by inhibiting the adhesion of uropathogenic bacteria to the uroepithelial cells by interfering with specific receptor-ligand modes of microbial adhesion.…”

“…21 Cranberry is thought to improve urinary tract health by inhibiting the adhesion of uropathogenic bacteria to the uroepithelial cells by interfering with specific receptor-ligand modes of microbial adhesion. 5,18,[22][23][24][25][26] Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins and fructose, which specifically inhibit hemagglutination of Escherichia coli by the expression of types 1 and P adhesion. [27][28][29][30] Cranberry juice is more effective at preventing bacterial adherence than displacing bacteria already attached to the epithelial cells.…”