One in Five Urinary Tract Infections Likely Originate From Contaminated Meat
Anyone who has ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI) would probably be willing to try anything to avoid the burning, stinging, and persistent discomfort that these infections cause. In addition to staying on top of personal hygiene, it can be just as important to handle food safely.
Nearly one in five UTIs in Southern California are linked to E.coli strains found in contaminated meat.
“Urinary tract infections have long been considered a personal health problem, but our findings suggest that they are also a food safety problem,” said Lance B. Price, lead author of the study and professor of environmental and occupational health at George Washington University in a press release.
The results, published in mBioalso highlight an increased risk for people from low-income neighborhoods and suggest that this trend could be occurring across the United States.
UTI-causing bacteria found in contaminated meat
Common UTI prevention tips include staying hydrated, not delaying urination, going to the bathroom after sex, and maintaining good personal hygiene, as well as avoiding irritating products and wearing breathable cotton underwear.
Because they are so common and primarily affect women and the elderly, UTIs take a heavy toll on healthcare systems and productivity, costing billions each year. Identifying sources of infection and ways to prevent them is essential to reduce this burden for both patients and healthcare providers.
The main cause of most urinary infections is E.coli bacteria. Although E.coli is generally a harmless part of our microbiome, living peacefully on our skin and in our guts, some strains can cause disease if they end up in the wrong place. Because E.coli is also a common food contaminant, particularly in raw poultry and other meats, researchers wondered if there might be a hidden link between foodborne strains and UTIs.
Learn more: Hungry bacteria hunt their neighbors with tiny poison-tipped harpoons
Common Foodborne UTIs
To find out, the research team isolated E.coli strains from UTI patients and local retail meat, then compared them using a new genomic modeling method called “Bayesian latent class modeling.”
The results showed that 18 percent of urinary infections recorded in the study were caused by E.coli from animals, with chicken and turkey harboring most of the high-risk strains. Another striking finding came from demographic data: People in low-income areas were 60 percent more likely to get food-borne UTIs than those in higher-income neighborhoods.
“That’s why we should invest more, not less, in research on the social determinants of health. Your risk of infection should not depend on your ZIP code,” Price said.
Findings like this will likely inspire more research, such as investigating the origin of contaminated meat and expanding studies to other regions of the United States, to help prevent foodborne infections in the future.
What consumers can do now
Although ongoing research will take time to confirm and expand on these findings, consumers can already take a few precautions to reduce their risk of foodborne UTIs:
- Buy meat and poultry that are well sealed to prevent leaks on other groceries
- Cook all meats and poultry thoroughly
- Avoid cross contamination in the kitchen
- Wash hands and surfaces after preparing raw meat
- Advocate for stronger food security policies that address community disparities
This article does not offer medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.
Learn more: Squatting and using toilet paper won’t protect you from germs in public restrooms
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