Effects of pH on the Pathogenicity of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae on the Kidney: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Urine pH reflects the functional integrity of the body and may influence the virulence of uropathogenic and , the main causes of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study evaluated the effects of acidic pH on the pathogenicity of uropathogenic and strains, in vitro and in vivo. Four uropathogenic and four strains were used. Biofilm formation, growth competition indices, motility, and adhesion and invasion of human renal cells were analyzed in media with acidic, neutral, and alkaline pH. A murine lower UTI model was used, with urine adjusted to acidic, neutral, or alkaline pH. At acidic pH, and exhibited higher bacterial concentrations in the kidneys and systemic symptoms, including bacteremia. Alkaline urine pH did not affect bacterial concentrations of any strain. In mice with UTIs caused by Nu14 and HUVR42 and acidic urine pH, histopathological studies of the kidneys showed acute inflammation affecting the urothelium and renal parenchyma, which are traits of acute pyelonephritis. These results indicate that acidic pH could increase the pathogenicity of and in murine models of lower UTI, promoting renal infection and acute inflammation.