The pain of urinary tract infections for many millions of people - mostly women - may soon be eliminated by giving them a small capsule containing a naturally-occurring bacterium, researchers in Canada have predicted. Urinary infections number an estimated 150 million cases a year. They affect up to four out of five women in their lifetime, often repeatedly. But antibiotics are frequently only of temporary benefit, according to Dr Gregor Reid of the University of Western Ontario.
The infections cause considerable pain but the issue does not attract the high profile of other diseases as they are not life-threatening, he said. Women invariably take a few days off work, go to their doctor and take an antibiotic.
The development of a Lactoba- cillus inoculum, however, is proving in trials to be an extremely effective preventative. It is likely to help pregnant and elderly women in particular. It is administered vaginally (but may also be developed into an oral form) and dissolves overnight, thereby releasing the good bacteria, which are freezedried inside. They help to restore the correct blend of natural microbes in urogenital area which cause no harm.
His research team is also examining other possible nutrients, including vitamin C, that may help restore the correct balance, he told the conference on health-benefiting foods and substances known as probiotics.
The change to this form of treatment was women-driven. They did not want chemotherapuetic agents including antibiotics and had a preference for natural treatments. "The pharmaceutical industry has not got on to this. It is still preoccupied with looking for chemicals to wipe out everything," he said. This was not helped by north American culture which says "everything associated with bugs is bad". His unit is attempting to counteract this by making a CDrom and creating an internet website (accessed at www.axia.com/health).