The impact of urinary tract infection on the brain.

Urinary tract infections are highly prevalent, afflicting over 400 million people globally each year. The most common cause is uropathogenic E. coli, which accounts for over 80% of infections. Importantly, these bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotic therapies, making them difficult to treat. Interestingly, urinary tract infections, particularly in the elderly, are associated with acute delirium and exacerbations of dementia. This project will use clinically relevant in vivo urinary tract infection models and assess their impact on the brain. It will synergise expertise across the departments of Immunology and Neuroscience in the School of Translational Medicine based at the Alfred research precinct. The project aims to; 1. Assess the impact of urinary tract infection on brain behaviour and immunity using behavioural, molecular and immunohistochemical techniques 2. Determine the mechanisms involved by exploring changes in the microbiome, systemic immune proteins and metabolites.