Characterizing features of Escherichia coli UTI89 inhibition by urinary Lactobacillus gasseri 5006-2
Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biological Sciences
Committee Chair
Tatyana Sysoeva
Committee Member
Luis R. Cruz-Vera
Committee Member
Carrie Deans
Research Advisor
Tatyana Sysoeva
Subject(s)
Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus, Microbiomes, Competition (Biology), Urinary organs--Microbiology, Urinary tract infections--Alternative treatments, Urobiomes
Abstract
The urinary tract hosts a urobiome that may play a role in health and disease, such as in urinary tract infection. Lactic acid-producing bacteria, or lactobacilli, have been identified as defenders against pathogens in microbiome niches and are abundant in the female urobiome. Previous work has observed that urinary lactobacilli inhibit the growth of pathogenic strains in vitro, including the predominant uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The goal of this project was to characterize the features of these interactions as a first step in elucidating the mechanism(s) of inhibition. Liquid co-cultures of urinary isolates, Lactobacillus gasseri 5006-2, and model UPEC strain, UTI89, were used to model inhibition over time. Results indicate a complex and contact-dependent interaction that contradicts the traditional hypothesis of inhibition by acidic organic acids produced by lactobacilli. Characterizing these interactions is essential to a robust understanding of the role of the urobiome in susceptibility to urinary disease.
Recommended Citation
Jeries, Layla Marie, "Characterizing features of Escherichia coli UTI89 inhibition by urinary Lactobacillus gasseri 5006-2" (2025). Theses. 761.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/761
