Probiotics and Multi-Drug Resistant Urinary Tract Infection

The aims of this study are (1) to evaluate the effects of six months of probiotic therapy in addition to standard of care in changing sensitivity patterns of MDR bacteria causing recurrent UTI, (2) analyze the genetic composition of MDR bacterial isolates causing recurrent UTI before and after administration of probiotic vs. placebo, with standard of care antibiotics.

Study subjects will be asked to take a either a probiotic supplement or placebo at a dose of 1 caplet per day for 24 weeks in addition to antibiotic regimen. Subjects will be followed for 12 months. The outcome measure is the percent of probiotic ingestors vs placebo ingestors who experience a change in antibiotic susceptibility over this time period. The secondary outcome measure is the evaluation of genetic composition of bacteria recurring after probiotic vs. placebo administration.

Inclusion criteria

• Female, age 18-90
• Ability to void spontaneously
• Suffers from recurrent multi-drug resistant or extensively drug resistant urinary tract infections caused by E.coli, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, Citrobacter, Proteus, Enterobacter, Serratia and Providencia.

Exclusion criteria

• Has staghorn renal calculi, chronic hydronephrosis, intermittent catherization, indwelling urinary catheters, urinary diversions, end stage renal disease on hemodialysis, transplantation, HIV, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, allergy to soy or milk/milk proteins or lactose intolerance
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Currently taking probiotics. 4 week washout.