The Immune System Response to UTI: Dr. Soman Abraham on UTI Vaccines (Part 1)

In this video, Dr Abraham, explains why chronic UTI occurs, the various vaccinations currently available, and what sets his own vaccine apart.
Dr. Abraham’s recent work has centered on the body’s immune response to UTI and why this can lead to chronic UTIs. Typically, UTI occurs when bacteria gets into the bladder through the urethra and then multiplies in the urine. Often, the bacteria can also grow in the bladder lining. In response, the bladder lining will shed. Although this will result in a decrease in bacteria, the downside is that the underlying tissue becomes exposed to the urine and that exposure causes pain.
In this instance, the body will dispatch T cells to repair the damage. Unfortunately, there can be pockets of bacteria hiding within the bladder lining which is not eradicated. It is these pockets of bacteria which can give rise to further UTIs. With each new infection, the body focuses more and more on repairing the bladder lining and less on eradicating the bacteria hiding within the remaining bladder lining cells. It is this diminishing immune response that results in chronic UTI. It is for this same reason that antibiotics can lack effectiveness. Their function is to kill the bacteria in the urine and attached to the bladder lining, not the bacteria hiding within the bladder lining cells.
Dr. Abraham explains the types of UTI vaccines available in Europe and the USA: An under-the-tongue sublingual immunization, a vaginal suppository, an oral vaccine and an intramuscular injection. All these vaccines induce antibodies in mucosal secretions. Along with secretions like saliva, this includes the lining of the bladder. All these vaccines stimulate the body’s natural immune response. Because of this, the same limitations can be seen in that bacteria can remain hidden within the bladder lining cells.
The vaccine that Dr. Abraham is working on targets the bacteria hidden within the cells, as well as clearing the bacteria from the urine and bladder lining. The vaccine is administered in three doses - an initial dose and two boosters - through the urethra via a catheter, where it is held within the bladder for a couple of hours.
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Post-production: Melissa Wairimu / kreativlee_