Prospective Observational Cohort Study of the Efficacy of Bacterial Immune Prophylaxis in the Prevention of Uncomplicated, Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the long-term prophylactic effect of a vaccine on lower urinary tract infections (UTI) of bacterial and the impact of the intensity of the symptoms on the quality of life (QoL). Methods: Adult female could be enrolled in this study if they had acute UTI at the enrolment visit and bacterial microbiological count of ≥10³ CFU/mL of Escherichia coli. Results: A total of 21 patients were included. Fifteen days after the administration of a vaccine for 3 months, the number of infections dropped almost to zero. Significant differences were observed in the QoL score (p < 0.05). The safety profile was good. Conclusions: In patients diagnosed with recurrent UTI and treated for 3 months with the vaccine the number of UTI episodes fell very quickly (15 days), and patients remained free of episodes and improved their QoL significantly for 1 year. These results suggest that bacterial vaccines are a possible effective alternative in the prevention of recurrent UTI.

Urinary tract infections in the elderly: a review of disease characteristics and current treatment options

“…Recurrent UTIs carry a substantial social and economic burden, and have a detrimental effect on patients’ quality of life (QoL). 15 – 17 The economic cost of UTIs to healthcare systems is considerable. In the United States, the cost of UTIs is estimated to be at least US$2–3 billion per annum.…”

“… 15 In a small prospective observational study of adult women with uncomplicated, recurrent UTIs (n=21), OM-89 administered for 3 months significantly reduced the number of infections and improved QoL. 17 RCTs are required before any definitive conclusions can be drawn about the efficacy of OM-89 in UTI.…”