New Study Shows How Cranberries Impact Infection-causing Bacteria

Recent study conducted by McGill University's Department of Chemical Engineering researchers has shed light on the biological mechanisms by which cranberries may impart protective properties against urinary tract and other infections.

Two new studies, spearheaded by Prof. Nathalie Tufenkji, add to evidence of cranberries' effects on UTI-causing bacteria.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Adults Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQ
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection which can happen anywhere along the urinary tract.

The findings also point to the potential for cranberry derivatives to be used to prevent bacterial colonization in medical devices such as catheters.

In research results, Prof. Tufenkji and members of her laboratory report that cranberry powder can inhibit the ability of Proteus mirabilis, a bacterium frequently implicated in complicated UTIs, to swarm on agar plates and swim within the agar.

The experiments also show that increasing concentrations of cranberry powder reduce the bacteria's production of urease, an enzyme that contributes to the virulence of infections.

Cranberry Juice Unlikely to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
Cranberry juice does not prevent bladder and kidney infections, states review in The Cochrane Library.

The study is published online in the Canadian Journal of Microbiology.

Source-ANI

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