New research links nearly 20% of urinary tract infections (UTIs) to E. coli strains originating from contaminated poultry meat.
UTIs are among the most common infections in the world, especially in women. The most common cause of them is Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium of the gut. But have you ever considered the possibility that some of these bacteria could be present in the food we consume, particularly meat?
According to a recent study published in Clinical Microbiology, E. coli strains that were first identified in food animals may be the cause of almost one in five UTIs in Southern California (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Zoonotic Escherichia coli and urinary tract infections in Southern California
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High E. coli Contamination Found in Retail Meat
E. coli is not necessarily dangerous, although some of its forms, known as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), can cause extraintestinal infections, such as UTIs, kidney infections, or even sepsis.
Researchers examined over 36,000 samples of E. coli obtained from patients and retail meat between 2017 and 2021 in Southern California.
They discovered:
- Turkey meat had the highest contamination rates (82%), followed by beef, pork, and chicken.
- Increased contamination in low-income areas, where food safety laws may not be followed in handling and storage practices.
- “Value packs” were more likely to be contaminated, possibly due to extended storage or improper temperature control.
Poultry Meat Linked to Zoonotic E. coli UTIs
Using the latest genomic technologies, researchers were able to determine the origin of various E. coli strains. They found that meat from food animals, especially chicken, was responsible for an estimated 18% of UTIs caused by genetically related strains.
The study also revealed:
- The elderly men and women were more susceptible to zoonotic UTIs.
- In humans and meat, some strains of E. coli (in the B2 and D groups) were especially virulent, which means they were more likely to cause illness.
- Poultry meat, especially turkey, was the main source of these harmful strains.
Antibiotic Resistance: A Silver Lining?
Interestingly, compared to the other E. coli strains implicated in human activities, the zoonotic strains were less susceptible to a range of antibiotics. This could be a sign of new farming regulations in California that limit the use of antibiotics in poultry.
Despite this, the issue of antimicrobial resistance persisted, with widespread resistance to the widely used antibiotic tetracyclines.
Protect Yourself: Simple Steps Matter!
Although the study may have been centred on Southern California, its results are a wake-up call to all. You can reduce your risk by:
- Appropriate cooking methods for meat, especially poultry.
- When handling raw meat, use separate cutting boards to avoid cross-contamination.
- Handwashing after touching meat or wrapping.
- Purchasing products from reliable vendors who follow food safety laws.
The article provides evidence that meat-related bacteria, specifically those found in poultry, can be linked to nearly 25% of UTIs. The findings highlight the close connection between public health and food safety.
Reducing bacterial contamination of meat, implementing responsible antibiotic use on farms, and improving food safety at the community level can all help lower the risk of infection and protect our food and health.
“Safe meat handling isn’t just about avoiding food poisoning — it could also prevent your next UTI.”
Zoonotic Escherichia coli and urinary tract infections in Southern California
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01428-25
Source-American Society of Microbiology