Natural resistance to urinary tract infection determined by endotoxin-induced inflammation

Uninary tract infections (UTI) are common, with frequencies ranging from about 1 to 10% in different age groups, Gram-negative bacteria dominate as causative agents. Defects in host resistance to bacteriuria have not been defined at the molecular level. The results of the present study demonstrate that endotoxin-induced inflammation mediates bacterial clearance from the kidneys. Genetic or pharmacologically induced defects in this function drastically impaired the natural resistance to infection.