Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Urinary tract infection (UTI) affects the urinary system impacting the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Although UTI can happen to both men and women, women are at greater risk of developing the infection. A research paper published in 2018 informs that 60% of women have a lifetime risk of developing UTI which is only 13% for men. It is because the urethra is shorter and closer to the vagina.
The exact causes of UTIs are still not known. Still, we explained below a few known causes of disease and which bacteria cause UTI.
What are the causes of disease?
According to The National Health Portal website, the causes of a disease are the factors that create an environment for microbes to cause infection. Some causes are age, sex, and previous illnesses. Other factors that support the development of (or recovery from) the disease are living conditions, and socioeconomic status. Close contact or repeated exposures with the bacteria that causes the infection can also increase the risk of UTI.
On the other hand, risk factors are the conditions, quality, or attributes that increase the chances to have, develop, or being adversely affected by the disease.
There often exist confusion between risk factor and causes. The risk factor need not necessarily cause the disease but does increase the probability of occurring the disease.
Which microbes cause UTIs?
Different types of bacteria cause UTIs. However, a research paper published in 2015 has shared a few names of bacteria that are known to spread UTIs among people. These names include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
Another research paper published in 2018 informs that Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Salmonella spp., Citrobacter spp., Aeromonas spp., Serratia spp., Neisseria spp., Providencia spp., Acinetobacter spp., Veillonella spp., Lactobacillus spp., Corynebacterium spp., Aerococcus spp., Actinobaculum spp., Ureaplasma, and Mycoplasma spp., causes UTI.
Another research paper in 2020 informs that fungi such as Candida spp. also cause UTIs. Other fungi that cause UTIs are Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus spp., and the endemic mycoses.
What are the primary causes of urinary tract infections?
The primary cause of UTI is a favorable environment in the urinary tract that allows microbes to grow and spread to other regions. Infection of the bladder and urethra is the primary cause of urinary tract infections.
Some situations such as pregnancy, using a catheter, an unhygienic environment, menopause, uncontrolled diabetes, constipation, holding urine for long, dehydration, kidney stones, uncomfortable clothes, etc., can cause the infection.
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