The role of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) virulence genes in Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) cases in cats

Abstract

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common urogenital disease in cats, with uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) being the primary cause. UPEC originates from the normal gastrointestinal flora but is opportunistic, possessing the ability to adhere, invade, and persist in the urinary tract, leading to recurrent infections and clinical complications. These infections can range from mild to severe, including dysuria, hematuria, pollakiuria, stranguria, and urinary retention. The prevalence of UTI in cats varies across countries, ranging from 17.5–46.5%, with UPEC being the dominant pathogen. UPEC virulence is determined by genes encoding adhesion factors (fimA, pap, sfa, and csgA), iron acquisition systems (ent, fyuA, and iutA), outer membrane proteins (OmpA), and toxins (hly and cnf1), which support colonization, biofilm formation, invasiveness, and tissue damage. These virulence mechanisms allow the bacteria to survive urinary flow, pH, and host immune defenses, as well as to form intracellular bacterial communities and dormant reservoirs, increasing the risk of persistent and difficult-to-treat infections. In addition to its impact on feline health, UPEC also has zoonotic potential due to its close interaction with humans and the presence of antimicrobial resistance factors. Therefore, identifying UPEC virulence genes is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of UTIs in cats and anticipating the risk of transmission to humans. This study reviews the scientific evidence regarding the distribution of UPEC virulence genes in cats, their implications for clinical infection, and the urgency of a One Health approach to infection prevention, diagnosis, and control. Understanding UPEC genetics provides the basis for more effective therapeutic strategies, the development of antibacterial interventions, and the mitigation of zoonotic risk.