Causes of increased disease
More than half a million UTIs in the United States each year may be caused by strains of E. coli bacteria found in many meat products, according to a study published in the journal One Health.
According to senior study author Dr. Lance Price - co-director of the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center and professor of occupational and environmental health at George Washington University (USA), the research team tested the DNA of nearly 1,200 E. coli samples taken from the urine and blood of infected people, as well as the DNA of more than 1,900 E. coli samples from raw meat including chicken and pork.
Research has found that about 8% of urinary tract infections can be caused by E. coli bacteria from meat, leading to 640,000 UTIs each year.
Regarding this issue, Dr. Suri Raju V - urologist, Director of Regal Super Speciality Hospital Bengaluru (India) - said that consuming undercooked or improperly processed poultry can introduce these bacteria into the intestines, risking spreading to the urinary tract," Mr. Suri Raju V noted.
In addition, pork products have also been implicated as carriers of multidrug-resistant E. coli strains. Research suggests that the prevalence of these strains in pork may be linked to the widespread use of antibiotics in pig farming.
Bacterial migration from the gut to the urinary tract
Dr. Suri Raju V analyzes the journey of UTI-causing bacteria from contaminated food to the bladder which includes several key steps:
Ingestion and invasion: Consuming contaminated food introduces urinary tract pathogenic E. coli (UPEC) bacteria into the digestive tract. These bacteria adhere to the intestinal mucosa.
Urethral translocation and invasion: UPEC can translocate from the intestine to the perineum through fecal contamination. From there, they can easily invade the urethra, especially in women.
Adhesion: UPEC have fimbriae (hair-like appendages) and specialized adhesives that allow them to adhere to the ureteral epithelial cells lining the urinary tract. This adhesion prevents them from being washed out with the urine and allows them to cause infection.
Invasion and inflammation: Bacteria then invade the bladder lining, causing an inflammatory response and causing the characteristic symptoms of a UTI.
How to handle food safely
Cook thoroughly: Cooking poultry and meat thoroughly will effectively kill harmful bacteria.
Preventing cross-contamination: Using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat and other foods, along with washing hands thoroughly after handling raw meat, will help reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Chilling: Quickly chilling perishable foods below 40°F (4°C) will inhibit bacterial growth and extend shelf life.
