Vaginal dysbiosis as a factor contributing to the development of recurrent lower urinary tract infections

Abstract

Introduction. It is known that women are significantly more likely to suffer from lower urinary tract infections (LUTIs) than men. Nowadays, there is growing evidence to demonstrate the impact of vaginal microbiota on the development of recurrent LUTIs.Objectives. To demonstrate the impact of vaginal microbiota disorders on the development of recurrent lower urinary tract infections.Materials & methods. Seventy-five women with recurrent LUTIs 19 – 76 years old were enrolled in this study. The examination was performed according to the algorithm developed in the Department of Urology and Surgical Andrology, Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education. Real-time PCR of vaginal epithelial cell scrapings (Femoflor 16) was performed to comprehensively evaluate the vaginal microbiota.Results. Vaginal dysbiosis was detected in 47/75 (62.7%) women with recurrent UTIs: moderate vaginal dysbiosis was detected in 25/75 (33.3%) women and severe dysbiosis — in 22/75 (29.3%) women. A moderate correlation between the presence/absence of vaginal dysbiosis and the number of LUTI recurrences over 6 months was found (r = 0.310; p = 0.007). Vaginal dysbiosis was significantly more common among peri- and postmenopausal women with recurrent LUTIs than reproductive women (OR = 4.85; 95% CI = 1.45 – 16.17).Conclusion. Vaginal dysbiosis contributes to the development of recurrent LUTIs with more relapses. Vaginal microbiota disorders and, consequently, recurrent LUTIs are more common in peri- and postmenopausal women than reproductive women.