Effects of Uro-Vaxom vs. placebo on the urinary tract microbiome in individuals with spinal cord injury in a randomized controlled pilot trial (Uro-Vaxom pilot)
Abstract Individuals with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) have a high incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI). This randomized controlled pilot trial investigated the effect of an immunomodulator (Uro-Vaxom) versus a placebo on the urinary tract microbiome of individuals with SCI/D to inform...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96939-y |
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| Summary: | Abstract Individuals with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) have a high incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI). This randomized controlled pilot trial investigated the effect of an immunomodulator (Uro-Vaxom) versus a placebo on the urinary tract microbiome of individuals with SCI/D to inform the design of a larger trial. Twenty participants with SCI/D undergoing primary rehabilitation were randomized to receive either Uro-Vaxom or a placebo for three months (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04049994 08/08/2019). Urine was collected at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and three months post-treatment. DNA was extracted and sequenced using full-length 16 S rRNA using Oxford Nanopore technology. Internal controls were added for absolute abundance estimation. There were 10 participants in Uro-Vaxom and 10 in placebo analyzed. The prevalence of Escherichia coli was lower in the Uro-Vaxom group (2/10) compared to the placebo group (5/10) post-treatment, although this difference was not statistically significant. Significant alpha and beta diversity differences were associated with the microbial load, sex, and voiding method. Uro-Vaxom showed potential in reducing E. coli prevalence during the treatment period, but this result requires validation in a larger trial. Future trials should consider the baseline microbial load and optimal timing of intervention to ensure that the observed effects are attributable to immunomodulation. |
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| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |