Date of Award

Spring 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

Biological Sciences

Director of Thesis

Jeff Dudycha

Second Reader

Catherine Putonti

Abstract

There has been a longstanding misconception that the healthy human urinary tract is sterile; however, increasing evidence demonstrates the presence of a dynamic resident urinary microbiota. Emerging research suggests that the urinary microbiota plays a protective role against urological symptoms and infection, but interactions between urinary bacterial species remain understudied. Genomic islands (GIs) are large DNA segments acquired through horizontal gene transfer between bacteria and can provide fitness advantages, particularly to uropathogens. This research utilizes 1,301 genome sequences isolated from urine samples representing the bacterial diversity found within the human urinary tract. GIs were annotated using IslandViewer 4 and TreasureIsland. Even after filtering, both tools exhibited signs of GI overprediction, demonstrating the need for improved validation methods. Further analysis revealed Escherichia coli genomes from UTI patients carried significantly more antimicrobial resistance genes than those from patients without UTIs. Additionally, virulence factors from several key functions in adherence, effector delivery, and nutrient acquisition were identified. Evidence of horizontal gene transfer between species of Enterobacteriaceae further supports the key role GIs play in urinary microbiome evolution. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of accurate GI prediction and the influence of GIs on microbial pathogenicity and evolution within the urinary tract.

First Page

1

Last Page

56

Rights

© Elena G. Renshaw, 2025

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