Establishment and optimization of an E. coli urinary tract infection model in Göttingen minipigs with strain recovery and characterization - Summary - MDSpire

Establishment and optimization of an E. coli urinary tract infection model in Göttingen minipigs with strain recovery and characterization

  • By

  • Joyce Lübbers

  • Kaila Orlandini

  • Emily Podob

  • Jeffrey Fernandez

  • Jolaine M Wilson

  • Marjolein van Heerden

  • Jeroen Zeijpveld

  • Joan van Kregten

  • Peter T. Buckley

  • Germie van den Dobbelsteen

  • Kirsten L. Bair

  • May 18, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To establish and optimize an intraurethral UPEC urinary tract infection model in Göttingen minipigs, highlighting its significance for UTI research and strain characterization from urine.

Key Findings:
  • Infection was established for 14 days in minipigs using UTI89, demonstrating the model's reliability.
  • 75% of the animals were infected with the challenge strain, while 25% had a different E. coli strain, indicating the need for careful strain verification.
  • Strain verification is crucial for accurate evaluation of UTI interventions, impacting future research outcomes.
Interpretation:

The study highlights the Göttingen minipig as a relevant model for UTI research, emphasizing the importance of strain identification in evaluating treatment efficacy and guiding future studies.

Limitations:
  • The model may not fully replicate human UTI complexities, such as varying immune responses.
  • Natural infections in pigs can confound results, necessitating rigorous strain verification to avoid misinterpretation.
Conclusion:

The developed UTI model in Göttingen minipigs can effectively bridge preclinical findings and clinical outcomes, aiding in the assessment of vaccines and treatments, and paving the way for future research advancements.

Original Source(s)

Establishment and optimization of an E. coli urinary tract infection model in Göttingen minipigs with strain recovery and characterization

  • by Joyce Lübbers, Kaila Orlandini, Emily Podob, Jeffrey Fernandez, Jolaine M Wilson, Marjolein van Heerden, Jeroen Zeijpveld, Joan van Kregten, Peter T. Buckley, Germie van den Dobbelsteen, Kirsten L. Bair

  • May 18, 2026

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