Anti-Microbial Effects of Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Extract on Serotypes 26 and 45 of Escherichia Coli as a Prophylaxis of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common type of bacterial infection globally, affecting people of different age groups. Cranberry is renowned for its antibacterial properties and has been used to treat UTIs in recent years. Objective: This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial effects of cranberry extract on the prophylaxis of recurrent UTI caused by different serotypes of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Methods: This quasi-experimental study recruited 60 recurrent UTI patients from the Urology department of King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan. Patients with a history of recurrent UTIs caused by E. coli were included. Urine microscopy and culture tests were performed, and only E. coli-positive cases were serotyped. Patients received Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) extract at a dose of 500 mg/day for four weeks along with their standard treatment. Follow-up evaluations were conducted after one and three months to assess UTI symptoms and the presence of E. coli in urine samples. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with quantitative variables expressed as mean ± standard deviation and qualitative variables as frequencies and percentages. Results: Of the 60 patients, 15 (25%) were positive for E. coli. Serotyping revealed 8 patients (53%) with serotype 26 and 7 patients (47%) with serotype 45. After three months of treatment, cranberry extract eradicated E. coli in 12 patients (80%); specifically, it eradicated 100% of serotype 45 and 62% of serotype 26 cases. Conclusion: Cranberry extract (500 mg/day) for three months demonstrated significant antimicrobial effects on E. coli serotypes 26 and 45, with greater efficacy observed in serotype 45. These findings suggest cranberry extract as a potential prophylactic treatment for recurrent UTIs. Keywords: Cranberry extract, recurrent UTI, E. coli serotypes, antimicrobial effects, prophylactic treatment, Vaccinium macrocarpon, urinary tract infection, Escherichia coli