Zoonotic E coli Accounted for One-Fifth of UTI Cases
October 24, 2025
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4 min
A recent genomic analysis conducted in Southern California identified zoonotic extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli as a significant contributor to community urinary tract infections (UTIs), accounting for approximately 18% of cases from 2017 to 2021. The prevalence was notably higher in high-poverty neighborhoods (21.5%), particularly among women and older men. The study linked the incidence of zoonotic infections to retail meat contamination, with turkey showing the highest contamination rate. Notably, the research highlights the importance of genomics in UTI epidemiology and the role of socioeconomic factors in infection risk.
1. Zoonotic E. coli accounted for 18% of community UTIs. 2. Higher prevalence in high-poverty areas (21.5%). 3. Women had a higher zoonotic infection rate than men. 4. Turkey showed the highest meat contamination (82%). 5. Bayesian model was used for host origin inference. 6. Study did not include invasive disease cases. 7. Research funded by major health institutions. 8. Findings underline gaps in exposure pathway understanding.
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