Groundbreaking Urinary Microbiome Study! The Bladder Biome Project 2023

Loyola University Chicago and Live UTI Free have launched the first major study into the female urinary microbiome: The Bladder Biome Project 2023 #1000bladders
The groundbreaking study is the world’s first comprehensive look at the organisms that reside in the bladder in healthy individuals, compared with those who experience recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI).
To determine whether you qualify for this study, please complete the screening questionnaire here: liveutifree.com/urinary-micro...
Who can participate in the study?
● Females aged 18+ who experience recurrent UTI
● Females aged 18+ who never or rarely experience UTI
In this video Alan Wolfe, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and co-founder and co-director of the Loyola Urinary Education & Research Collaborative (LUEREC), discusses the following:
● For decades, scientists have assumed urine is sterile and that patients who test positive for bacteria in their urine have urinary tract disorders.
● In 2014, a study withdrew urine directly from the bladder via suprapubic aspiration-passing a needle through the lower abdominal wall. Because bacteria is notoriously difficult to grow and standard urine culture conditions yielded no results, an expanded quantitative urine culture (EQUC) was developed which utilized different atmospheric conditions in which the bacteria would grow.
● This disproved the theory that urine is sterile.
● Though all urine contains bacteria, the bacteria present within people with urinary symptoms differed in important ways to those without symptoms.
● One of the main goals of this study is to understand the ecology of the urinary microbiome, to learn which bacteria, or combinations of bacteria, are causing symptoms and which are benign. This is why symptomatic and healthy participants are needed for the study.
● The pool of participants is set to include 700 people that experience recurrent UTI and 300 who don’t with an additional 15 people who do experience recurrent UTI providing samples for 40 consecutive days.
● These 40-day participants will help researchers understand whether patterning occurs.
● To date, studies into UTI have been small. This will be the largest study of its kind.
● Although study participants are being recruited from mainland USA due to logistical considerations, the findings of the research are likely to have implications globally, paving the way for innovation in diagnostics and treatment, and opening future avenues of study.
● Unlike other infections caused by true invasive pathogens, we are looking at the overarching ecology of the bladder’s microbiome. Ultimately, we will be able to define what a healthy microbiome looks like and then restore an unhealthy one via sophisticated treatment algorithms.
If this information was helpful, you may wish to contribute to future expert interviews and other crucial projects here: liveutifree.com/contribute
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Read about Probiotics And UTI, Biofilms, And The Urinary Microbiome here: liveutifree.com/probiotics-an...
Learn about UTI & The Microbiome with Dr. Ashley Girard here: • UTI & The Microbiome: ...
Learn about Antibiotics and the Urinary Microbiomewith Dr. Angelish Kumar here: • Antibiotics and the Ur...
If you are a clinician, you can learn about joining our clinician referral network here: liveutifree.com/clinicians/
About Alan Wolfe
Alan Wolfe is a professor of microbiology and immunology at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and co-founder and co-director of the Loyola Urinary Education and Research Collaborative (LUEREC).
Website: www.stritch.luc.edu/depts/lab...
About Live UTI Free
Live UTI Free is a patient advocacy and research organization. We do not endorse specific treatment approaches, clinicians or diagnostics methods. The content of this video does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. The medical and/or nutritional information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. liveutifree.com/
Post-production: Melissa Wairimu / kreativlee_