Atlantia Clinical Trials are looking for 130 women to take part in the research. Photo: Jonathan Borba

Suffering from recurring UTIs?

Atlantia Clinical Trials are looking for 130 women to take part in this research to determine the effectiveness of a probiotic at decreasing or preventing the occurrence of UTIs.

Urogenital tract infections include both UTIs along with genital tract infections. When a shift occurs in the normal microbiome lactobacillus populations decrease, leading to the growth of an abnormal number of pathogens, causing a urogenital tract infection. The leading cause of UTIs is Urinary Pathogenic e-Coli, accounting for 80% of cases.

A spokesperson for Atlantia Clinical Trials said: “The most common treatment for UTIs is the administration of antibiotics. However, use of antibiotics can lead to a reduction in the normal flora in the urogenital tract, inducing recurrent infections and the generation of drug-resistant pathogens. Antibiotics can have further undesired side effects beyond this, so there is a need for more effective and less harmful methods for treating and preventing these infections.”

The spokesperson added: “Probiotics have emerged as a promising alternative against UTIs. The probiotic being investigated in this study has been assessed for its ability to inhibit the growth of pathogens via several different modes of action. While these modes are effective against the pathogens, they are shown to have little effect on the native lactobacilli populations, allowing them to repopulate.”

Successful applicants for this study will take part over a 6-month period, taking the probiotic supplement daily, completing a few health questionnaires and attending 5 visits to Atlantia’s clinic in Blackpool, across that period.

As is standard with all their studies, each volunteer is offered a free health check at their visit and a full blood test.

Each participant will receive €600 upon completion of the study in return for their time.

Visit atlantiaclinicaltrials.com for more information.