Metabolic interactions between bacterial co-isolates from catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

Sokol D, Rzhepishevska O, Marynova I, Monsen T, Antti H, Ramstedt M

Sci Rep 16 (1) 2061 [2026-01-14; online 2026-01-14]

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are complex infections often involving multi-species bacteria. Escherichia coli is frequently an early coloniser. Subsequent colonisation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and coexistence mechanisms between the two strains within urethral catheters is not yet fully understood. In this study, metabolic adaptations between co-isolated clinical E. coli and P. aeruginosa strains were investigated. It was found that P. aeruginosa outgrew E. coli in artificial urine medium (AUM), whereas E. coli dominated in culture broth such as Iso-sensitest. No evidence of direct antagonism was observed. Metabolite analyses revealed distinct metabolite patterns indicating cross-feeding and metabolic adaptations. In AUM, stress-response metabolites were elevated. Additionally, E. coli appeared to experience Fe-limitation in AUM, while the same was not observed for P. aeruginosa. The results highlight the influence of nutrient conditions on processes within mixed biofilms. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-33855-1.

Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden [Service]

PubMed 41535363

DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-33855-1

Crossref 10.1038/s41598-025-33855-1

pmc: PMC12808099
pii: 10.1038/s41598-025-33855-1