About this Research Topic
Adaptation of uropathogens is a complex process and enables pathogens to infect, survive, evolve and spread the infection. The molecular basis of the adaptations are not well-understood and focusing on this phenomenon gives the opportunity for better understanding this process, and provides a new therapy strategies. Bacterial adaptation during infection covers a wide range of processes and molecular pathways, including adhesion to surface mechanisms and formation of biofilm, modulation of expression of the virulence factors that can affect the host defense mechanisms, and overexpression of antibiotic resistance genes. Many pathogens co-evolve with their hosts, and adjust their mechanisms to it. Uropathogenesis often requires a passage through populations of intracellular bacterial communities (IBC cycle), where bacteria undergo morphological and biochemical changes. Furthermore, the genetic rearrangements, horizontal gene transfer, and accumulation of short DNA sequences plays role in the fitness during persistent bacteriuria.
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infections in older adults, and as a result of aging society, the number of this type of infection increases, becoming a serious medical problem. Recent studies shows the importance of transition metals in the adhesion process and biofilm formation in uropathogens. Many specific genes, their expression and role in IBC cycle are still unknown. Unnecessary or inappropriate antimicrobial treatment is associated with the development and progression of antimicrobial resistance. Based on these data, the risk of increasing infection with uropathogenic bacteria seems to be an important aspect of the current microbiology.
The goal of the current Research Topic is to collect recent advances and novel research trends in the field of adaptation of uropathogens to infect the human urinary system, including studies focusing on the early stages of infection, such as adhesion to the host cell surface, as well as the later stages of bacteriuria and recurrent infections.
To advance our understanding of how bacteria can adapt to the changing environment during urinary tract infections we welcome original research articles and literature reviews which covers this field of Microbiology. In particular we focus on the specific themes:
- Transformation of bacterial cells from planktonic form to sessile during the adherence to surface and biofilm formation process
- Antibiotic resistance trends and mechanisms
- Intracellular bacterial communities (IBC)
- Horizontal gene transfer and pathogenic islands organization
- Expression of virulence factors and host response during infection
- CRISPR-cas regions
- Coinfections and competition with another microorganisms
- Relationships between bacteriophages and uropathogens
- Pathogen defense mechanisms with respect to host response
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infections in older adults, and as a result of aging society, the number of this type of infection increases, becoming a serious medical problem. Recent studies shows the importance of transition metals in the adhesion process and biofilm formation in uropathogens. Many specific genes, their expression and role in IBC cycle are still unknown. Unnecessary or inappropriate antimicrobial treatment is associated with the development and progression of antimicrobial resistance. Based on these data, the risk of increasing infection with uropathogenic bacteria seems to be an important aspect of the current microbiology.
The goal of the current Research Topic is to collect recent advances and novel research trends in the field of adaptation of uropathogens to infect the human urinary system, including studies focusing on the early stages of infection, such as adhesion to the host cell surface, as well as the later stages of bacteriuria and recurrent infections.
To advance our understanding of how bacteria can adapt to the changing environment during urinary tract infections we welcome original research articles and literature reviews which covers this field of Microbiology. In particular we focus on the specific themes:
- Transformation of bacterial cells from planktonic form to sessile during the adherence to surface and biofilm formation process
- Antibiotic resistance trends and mechanisms
- Intracellular bacterial communities (IBC)
- Horizontal gene transfer and pathogenic islands organization
- Expression of virulence factors and host response during infection
- CRISPR-cas regions
- Coinfections and competition with another microorganisms
- Relationships between bacteriophages and uropathogens
- Pathogen defense mechanisms with respect to host response
Keywords: biofilm, uropathogen, host reponse
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
