Abstract
The urinary tract is a sterile organ system. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common
and often serious infections. Research has focused on uropathogen, environment, and
host factors leading to UTI pathogenesis. A growing body of evidence exists implicating
genetic factors that can contribute to UTI risks. In this review, we highlight genetic
variations in aspects of the innate immune system critical to the host response to
uropathogens. This overview includes genetic variations in pattern recognition receptor
molecules, chemokines/cytokines, and neutrophil activation. We also comprehensively
cover murine knockout models of UTI, genetic variations involved in renal scarring
as a result of ascending UTIs, and asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Keywords
innate immunity - genetics - urinary tract infections - asymptomatic bacteriuria