{
  "id": 9807056,
  "title": "How Bladder Cells Fight Hidden E. coli: New Insights Into Recurrent UTIs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/how-bladder-cells-fight-hidden-e-coli-new-insights-into-recurrent-utis",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-25T18:00:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GEN Biotechnology",
    "slug": "gen-biotechnology",
    "url": "https://www.genengnews.com/topics/infectious-diseases/how-bladder-cells-fight-hidden-e-coli-new-insights-into-recurrent-utis/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Researchers have discovered that the drug OM-89 (Uro-Vaxom®) enhances the bladder cells' ability to eliminate intracellular E. coli, which is responsible for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). The study, published in PLOS Pathogens, found that OM-89 activates cellular degradation pathways in bladder epithelial cells and increases antibiotic uptake. The drug was shown to increase lysosomal acidification and enzyme activity, directly affecting the cells lining the bladder. By strengthening the bladder cells' ability to destroy hidden bacteria and helping antibiotics reach those bacteria, OM-89 reduces the regrowth of bacteria after treatment ends. This discovery suggests a host-directed approach to recurrent infection, reinforcing the scientific foundation supporting the use of Uro-Vaxom®.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Medical Xpress",
        "title": "Hidden E. coli survive in bladder cells, but existing drug helps antibiotics reach them in lab tests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/hidden-e-coli-survive-in-bladder-cells-but-existing-drug-helps",
        "published": "2026-09-25T18:00:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}