Current Developments in Urogenital Infections

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2025) | Viewed by 10931

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Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, University of Patras, Metropolitan General Athens, Rio, Greece
Interests: sepsis; COVID-19; immunology of infection
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urogenital infections represent a significant burden on global public health, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. From urinary tract infections (UTIs) to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and genital tract infections (GTIs), these conditions pose challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. As our understanding of the complex interactions between pathogens and the urogenital system deepens, new avenues for research and innovation emerge. We are please to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue of Microorganisms entitled “Current Developments in Urogenital Infections”. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the field of urogenital infections, encompassing a wide range of topics from basic science to clinical applications.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Pathogenesis and microbiology: Insights into the mechanisms of pathogen colonization and invasion in the urogenital tract. Emerging pathogens and antimicrobial resistance patterns in urogenital infections. Microbiota dynamics and their impact on urogenital health and disease.
  • Diagnostic innovations: Novel approaches for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of urogenital infections. Biomarkers and molecular techniques for detecting specific pathogens and assessing disease severity.
  • Therapeutic strategies: Advancements in antimicrobial agents for the treatment of urogenital infections. Precision medicine approaches tailored to individual patient profiles and microbial susceptibilities. Alternative and adjunctive therapies, including probiotics and phage therapy.
  • Prevention: Strategies for the prevention of urogenital infections, including vaccination and behavior modification. Screening programs and risk assessment tools for identifying high-risk populations.
  • Interdisciplinary perspectives: Integration of genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics in urogenital infection research. Collaboration between microbiologists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and public health experts to address complex challenges.
  • By synthesizing the latest research findings and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, this Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of urogenital infections and facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical practice. We invite researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals to contribute their insights and expertise to this collaborative endeavor. "Current Developments in Urogenital Infections" represents a timely opportunity to showcase groundbreaking research and innovations that are shaping the future of urogenital health. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we aim to address the evolving challenges posed by urogenital infections and ultimately improve patient outcomes and public health interventions. We look forward to a vibrant exchange of ideas and discoveries in this exciting field.

Prof. Dr. Charalambos Gogos
Dr. Karolina Akinosoglou
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • urinary tract infection
  • genital tract infection
  • sexually transmitted disease

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1309 KB  
Article
Limosilactobacillus reuteri 3613-1 Delays Onset of Unconfirmed Urinary Tract Infections in Otherwise Healthy Women
by Valentine Turpin, Charles Kakilla, Jessica Foote, Oliver Chen, William Hooper, Wafaa Ayad, Annahita Ghassemi, Noah Zimmermann, Kieran Rea and Amy Wescott
Microorganisms 2026, 14(3), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14030615 - 9 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) impose a substantial burden on women’s health, and probiotics have emerged as an alternative strategy to support urogenital wellbeing. This study evaluated the antimicrobial properties of Limosilactobacillus reuteri 3613-1 and its ability to improve UTI outcomes in women with [...] Read more.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) impose a substantial burden on women’s health, and probiotics have emerged as an alternative strategy to support urogenital wellbeing. This study evaluated the antimicrobial properties of Limosilactobacillus reuteri 3613-1 and its ability to improve UTI outcomes in women with a history of recurrent uncomplicated UTIs. In vitro assays demonstrated that L. reuteri 3613-1 inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli isolates and proved superior inhibition of Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans compared with a comparator L. reuteri strain, supported by confirmed reuterin production and genomic profiling. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (n = 130) assessed daily supplementation with L. reuteri 3613-1 for 24 weeks. While the proportion, frequency, and intensity of confirmed UTIs did not differ significantly between groups, L. reuteri 3613-1 delayed the onset of the first UTI, reaching significance in participants with suspected while unconfirmed UTIs. Vaginal pH and vaginal microbiome composition remained stable and comparable between groups across the intervention. The product was safe and well tolerated. Overall, L. reuteri 3613-1 shows promise as a probiotic candidate with antimicrobial activity and potential to delay symptom onset in women susceptible to recurrent UTIs, warranting further investigation in larger studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Developments in Urogenital Infections)
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12 pages, 243 KB  
Article
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Escherichia coli Isolates Causing Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections: Comparison of Methods
by Alexander Machado Cardoso, Vinicius Ribeiro Flores, Gabriel Gomes do Rosario, Juliana Barbosa Succar, Lidiane Coelho Berbert, Maria Clara de Freitas Oliveira, Anna Luiza Bauer Canellas, Marinella Silva Laport, Cláudia Rezende Vieira Mendonça Souza, Thiago Pavoni Gomes Chagas, Rubens Clayton da Silva Dias, Fabio da Silva de Azevedo Fortes and Flávia Lúcia Piffano Costa Pellegrino
Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020231 - 22 Jan 2025
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3779
Abstract
Due to bacterial resistance to antimicrobials, antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) has become a major challenge for clinicians. The present work aimed to compare the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of 53 uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolates, assessed using the disk diffusion method [...] Read more.
Due to bacterial resistance to antimicrobials, antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) has become a major challenge for clinicians. The present work aimed to compare the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of 53 uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolates, assessed using the disk diffusion method and two automated systems (PHOENIX BD™ and VITEK2), with interpretations based on CLSI and BrCAST guidelines. Twenty-five antibiotics were tested to assess differences in susceptibility profiles. Statistical tools, including Kappa coefficient analysis and chi-square tests, were applied to assess concordance and significance between methods. Among the main discrepancies found, BrCAST has classified a greater number of UPEC isolates as resistant to more than half of the antibiotics tested by the disk diffusion method, when compared to CLSI. Although faster, the PHOENIX BD and VITEK2 automated systems exhibited significant discrepancies, with divergences observed for half of the antimicrobials tested. Both automated methods showed discrepancies compared to the disk diffusion method under CLSI and BrCAST guidelines. PHOENIX BD classified some isolates resistant by DD/CLSI as susceptible, while VITEK2 misclassified 25% to 50% of the antimicrobials tested. Conversely, VITEK2 also classified some isolates susceptible to DD/CLSI as resistant to 25% of the antimicrobials tested. Regarding DD/BrCAST, PHOENIX BD classified resistant isolates as susceptible (to 50% of the antimicrobials tested). In comparison, VITEK2 classified resistant isolates as susceptible and susceptible isolates as resistant (25% of the antimicrobials for both). These findings highlight the need for careful selection of susceptibility testing methods, as variations in interpretive criteria between CLSI and BrCAST could impact clinical decision-making. This study underscores the importance of methodological consistency in accurately informing antibiotic therapy in UTI management, especially in the face of rising resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Developments in Urogenital Infections)

Review

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36 pages, 939 KB  
Review
Non-Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)-Related Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
by Eleni Polyzou, Evangelia Ntalaki, Maria Gavatha and Karolina Akinosoglou
Microorganisms 2025, 13(12), 2813; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13122813 - 10 Dec 2025
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Abstract
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), although traditionally viewed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), can also result from non-sexually transmitted microorganisms that display distinct epidemiologic and clinical characteristics. Unlike STI-related PID, these infections are less influenced by sexual behavior, often show a bimodal age [...] Read more.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), although traditionally viewed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), can also result from non-sexually transmitted microorganisms that display distinct epidemiologic and clinical characteristics. Unlike STI-related PID, these infections are less influenced by sexual behavior, often show a bimodal age distribution, and are linked to bacterial vaginosis (BV)-associated dysbiosis, iatrogenic uterine procedures, postpartum states, or inadequate access to timely screening and care. Non-STI-related PID is usually polymicrobial, predominantly involving BV-associated vaginal, enteric, or urinary commensals that ascend into the upper genital tract, while respiratory tract organisms, mycobacteria, and biofilm-associated pathogens may also play a role. Pathophysiological mechanisms include disruption of the endocervical barrier, mucus degradation, biofilm formation, hematogenous or iatrogenic seeding, and chronic cytokine-mediated inflammation and fibrosis. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic/subclinical disease to acute pelvic pain and tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) and can progress to systemic infection and sepsis. Diagnosing non-STI PID is challenging due to nonspecific symptoms, negative STI tests, and inconclusive imaging findings, while management relies on broad-spectrum antimicrobials with surgery as needed. Given these complexities, this review aims to synthesize current knowledge on non-STI-related PID, clarify key considerations for its diagnosis, management, and prevention, and outline future perspectives to improve clinical outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Developments in Urogenital Infections)
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