A new genomic study reveals that up to 18% of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Southern California may stem from E coli strains transmitted through contaminated poultry and meat, disproportionately affecting residents of low-income neighborhoods.
A study published in mBio has uncovered a surprising connection between food safety and urinary tract infections (UTIs), suggesting that nearly 1 in 5 UTIs in Southern California are caused by E coli strains originating from contaminated meat. The findings highlight a significant but underrecognized public health issue—one that disproportionately impacts people living in low-income communities.
“Urinary tract infections have long been considered a personal health issue, but our findings suggest that they are also a food safety problem,” Lance B. Price, PhD, senior author of the study and professor of environmental and occupational health at George Washington University, said in a statement. “This opens up new avenues for prevention, especially for vulnerable communities that bear a disproportionate burden. Your risk of infection should not depend on your ZIP code.”
About 18% of UTIs in Southern California may be caused by E. coli strains originating from contaminated meat, especially poultry.
People in low-income areas face a 60% higher risk of foodborne UTIs, underscoring inequities in environmental and food safety risks.
Researchers urge greater investment in understanding the social and environmental drivers of infection — and recommend safe food-handling practices to help protect consumers now.
UTIs are frequently caused by E coli—the same bacteria commonly found in raw poultry and meat. To better understand the link between foodborne bacteria and human infections, researchers from George Washington University and Kaiser Permanente Southern California collected more than 5,700 E coli isolates from UTI patients and local retail meat samples. Using advanced genomic modeling, they traced the likely origins of each bacterial strain to determine whether it came from animals or humans.
The results showed 18% of UTIs were linked to animal-derived E coli strains, with the most dangerous types found in chicken and turkey. Residents of low-income neighborhoods faced a 60% higher risk of these foodborne infections, and women and older men were especially vulnerable.
While the study focused on Southern California, researchers believe the findings likely reflect a nationwide issue. The team plans to expand its genomic approach to study bloodstream and other serious E coli infections, as well as develop interventions to reduce foodborne infection risks. In the meantime, the authors recommend that consumers handle and cook meat carefully to minimize exposure.
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