90% of the E. coli creating urinary tract infection are uropathogenic. Others that can cause urinary tract infections are fecal bacteria and bacteria present in prostrate glands.
This term refers to a mixed population of gram-positive bacteria that are commonly found in the human body but are not typically associated with causing urinary tract infections. These bacteria may include species such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, which are part of the normal microbiota in various body sites. Finding mixed non-uropathogenic gram-positive flora in a urine culture usually does not indicate an infection but rather contamination from nearby body surfaces.
Pili are thin, hair-like projections on the surface of organisms such as bacteria. The pyelonephritis-associated pili, or PAP, of uropathogenic E. coli (which is the major cause of urinary tract infections) are homologous to type I pili, which is composed of pilin subunits and binds to mannose residues on host cell surfaces. PAP, however, are more thin and flexible and bind to the human receptor GBO4.
There are several different strains of E. coli, each having about five million (5,000,000) base pairs. For example, uropathogenic E. coli (the one commonly associated with urinary tract infections) has about 5,231,428 base pairs, while E. coli K-12 has 4,639,221. The number of base pairs an organism has in its genes is commonly referred to as genome size. A web search for "genome size E. coli" is how I found these numbers.
Pili are thin, hair-like projections on the surface of organisms such as bacteria. The pyelonephritis-associated pili, or PAP, of uropathogenic E. coli (which is the major cause of urinary tract infections) are homologous to type I pili, which is composed of pilin subunits and binds to mannose residues on host cell surfaces. PAP, however, are more thin and flexible and bind to the human receptor GBO4.
If the UTI is treated early, the use of antibiotics may be avoided. Several products are available over the counter. Most uncomplicated UTIs can be treated with oral antibiotics such as trimethoprim, cephalosporins, nitrofurantoin, or a fluoroquinolone (e.g. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin). Whilst co-trimoxazole was previously internationally used (and continues to be used in the U.S.), the additional of the sulphonamide gave little additional benefit compared to the trimethoprim component alone, but was responsible for its both high incidence of mild allergic reactions and rare but serious complications. If the patient has symptoms consistent with pyelonephritis, intravenous antibiotics may be indicated. For acute pyelonephritis, use Aminoglycoside plus Ampicillin (I.V.). Patients with recurrent UTIs may need further investigation. This may include ultrasound scans of the kidneys and bladder or intravenous urography (X-rays of the urological system following intravenous injection of iodinated contrast material). If there is no response to treatments, interstitial cystitis may be a possibility. During cystitis, uropathogenic Escherichia coli(UPEC) subvert innate defenses by invading superficial umbrella cells and rapidly increasing in numbers to form intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs). Researchers at Center for Genomic Sciences, Allegheny Singer Research Institute, and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine have shown that biofilms are responsible for chronic infections and, from a clinical perspective, traditional antibiotic therapy will never be a successful treatment against biofilm bacteria. [1] 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinary_tract_infection#Treatment