Meat-borne Bacteria Linked to Around 500,000 UTIs in the US Annually

A new study has found that over half a million cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the United States each year are caused by strains of E.coli found in meat sold in grocery stores. While this represents just 8% of total UTI cases, it indicates a previously overlooked source of infection. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only oversees two types of E.coli in meat, both of which cause gastrointestinal illness, but the study suggests that raw meat sold elsewhere in the US could harbour other, similarly important strains of E.coli. The researchers used data collected from nine grocery stores in Flagstaff, Arizona, over a year, and discovered genetic similarities between E.coli found in meat, mostly poultry, and E.coli that causes UTIs in humans. The team estimated that around 8% of US UTI cases appear to be caused by foodborne strains of E.coli found mainly in raw chicken and turkey. Such strains are unlikely to survive cooking.

“Just like with everything, it’s important to wash your hands before and after cooking and make sure the surfaces are clean and of course understand that eating raw meat carries with it risks,” said Nissrine Nakib, MD, of the University of Minnesota Medical School. Being mindful in the kitchen can greatly reduce the risk of spreading E.coli, according to Lance B. Price, the study’s co-author.

Other causes of UTIs include not emptying the bladder completely, contamination due to incorrect wiping, having sex, and menopause. 

“The ones [E. coli] that cause UTIs are a fairly diverse group that has special features. They can cloak themselves from the immune system, they can hold onto cells in the urethra, even under force such as urination,” Dr. Price said.

E. coli is estimated to cause more than 75% of UTIs. Although the new study found that contamination from E. coli found in some meat could be a factor, by far the biggest source of E. coli every person interacts with comes from the people they live with or interact closely with, explained Dr. Price.

Dr. Nakib also noted the frequency of bacteria contact most people already experience: “We have more bacterial cells on us than we have human cells. It’s all about the balance.”

Keeping a healthy cohort of good bacteria in the gut can help the body naturally fight off infection-causing bacteria, including E. coli, she said. 

“I truly believe that the answer is working on regulating the balance of good bacteria to bad, rather than trying to eliminate the bad bacteria,” Dr. Nakib stated. She recommends eating fermented foods such as yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, and sauerkraut to build up the good microbes in your gut. 

Antibiotics are the standard course of treatment for UTIs, though drinking a lot of water or taking cranberry supplements can help flush out the bacteria that cause the infections, Dr. Nakib added. 

Cranberry supplements that have high amounts of a flavonoid called proanthocyanidins (PACs) may prevent the “fingers” of the E. coli bacteria from attaching to cells in the body, “but this evidence is still being debated,” said Dr. Nakib.

“Regardless it can be used for prevention but not typically treatment. If your body can’t fight the bacteria in the bladder then it can get out of hand and potentially cause more serious kidney infection or even blood infection and sepsis.”