What do Bladder Biofilms Look Like? Imaging biofilms with Dr. Harry Horsley.

UA-cam video description for Harry Horsley video
In this video Dr. Harry Horsley, a senior research fellow and principal investigator for the Bladder Infection and Immunity Group (BIIG) at UCL, discusses biofilms.
● Having suffered from recurrent UTIs himself, Dr. Horsley ultimately founded a state-of-the-art biological imaging suite which he currently runs.
● Biofilms in the bladder can not be detected effectively by taking a biopsy.
● At the clinic Dr. Horsley is associated with, patient urine samples are tested for chronic UTI via urine microscopy.
● The presence of white blood cells, or pyuria, in a urine sample indicates an immune response.
● When bacteria is present in the bladder lining (the epithelium), the body sheds the epithelial cells in defense. These bacteria-filled cells are detectable in a urine sample.
● Less sophisticated testing methods classify any sample containing epithelial cells as contaminated because they can’t be proven to originate from the urinary tract.
● Urine microscopy, however, can establish the source and detect the presence of biofilm encasing the epithelial cells.
● This biofilm layer protects the bacteria from the patient’s immune system or antibiotic treatment.
● There are many different types of epithelial cells and not all of them, even of the same type, will be covered in biofilm. This is why biopsy is not an effective method of diagnosis as the sample is too narrow.
● Patients may suspect the presence of epithelial cells in their own urine if their sample is cloudy. Cloudiness, however, can also be caused by harmless crystal formations or mucus.
● The life cycle of bacteria requires the cells to emerge from any biofilm in order to divide. It is during this phase that long term antibiotic protocols may successfully eradicate them.
● If they are not eradicated it is thought that this may be indicative of the cells burrowing deeper into the bladder wall.
● These types of infections are unlikely to be the result of a single bacteria, but rather a community of different bacteria. These communities likely differ from patient to patient, making treatment immensely challenging.
● Dr. Horsley and his team are currently digitally analyzing over 40,000 images of urine samples and comparing them against patient symptoms in order to discern patterns, and shape future UTI treatment and further research.
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About Dr. Harry Horsley
Dr. Harry Horsley, BSc, MRes, Ph.D, Senior Research Fellow and Principal Investigator for the Bladder Infection and Immunity Group, UCL, is currently the basic sciences lead (PI) of the Bladder Infection and Immunity Group (BIIG), based in the Department of Renal Medicine, UCL. He has studied urinary tract infections (UTI), from the pathophysiology of intracellular infection to the exploration of novel treatments strategies for 13 years. Having begun with Professor James Malone-Lee in 2009 as a research assistant, he was quickly promoted to laboratory manager before completing his MRes at the Royal Veterinary College and PhD at University College London. He completed a few years as a postdoctoral research associate and deputy head of the Centre for Urological Biology before receiving a generous research donation to form and head the Bladder Infection and Immunity Group (BIIG). Currently, in addition to his research, teaching and leadership roles, he founded and runs a ~£1,000,000 state-of-the-art biological imaging suite at the Department of Renal Medicine.
Follow Dr. Horsley on Twitter: @BIIG_UCL
About Live UTI Free
Live UTI Free is a patient advocacy and research organization. We do not endorse specific treatment approaches, clinicians or diagnostics methods. The content of this video does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. The medical and/or nutritional information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. liveutifree.com/
Post-production: Melissa Wairimu / kreativlee_