Antibodies to urinary tract pathogens in patients with spinal cord lesions

Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) is a significant problem for patients with spinal cord lesions (SCL). UTIs are thought to be a major factor in the development of reduced renal function. To investigate the pathogenesis 151 patients with SCL were included in this study during a 7 year period. Results of intravenous pyelography and isotope renography were recorded as well as the bladder emptying methods. One to seven blood samples were obtained from each patient and tested for plasma creatinine, and the presence of precipitating antibodies against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Klebsiella ozaenae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We found significant correlation between duration of SCL and precipitating antibodies against urinary tract pathogens (PAU) (r=0.23, P<0.005), between plasma creatinine and PAU in patients with spina bifida (r=0.64, P<0.01), between PAU and the number of positive urine cultures (r=0.17; P<0.05) and a relation between abnormal urological findings and PAU. In addition, the PAU was significantly higher in patients with indwelling urethral catheters (P<0.001). Thus it seems that PAU can be of prognostic value in SCL patients, and PAU might be an indicator for intensified treatment of recurrent UTI.