The purpose of the research is to determine if eating sweetened, dried cranberries or strawberry fruit pieces will increase the types of different E. coli bacteria in the intestines which may reduce the likelihood of a major, or highly harmful urinary type of bacteria which cause urinary tract infections in susceptible women.
This is a research study about the number and types of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (E. coli strains) that are present in the intestine. The bacteria will be collected and analyzed before and after eating either sweetened, dried cranberries or strawberry fruit pieces. This study will help us learn more about whether or not the components of consumed sweetened, dried cranberries or strawberry fruit pieces reduce the numbers of harmful E. coli bacteria in the vaginal and intestinal tracts, thereby reducing the number of urinary tract infections among women.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
65
Women in Arm 1 will consume one serving (1/3 cup; 42 g) of sweetened, dried cranberries each day for two weeks.
1 serving (1/3 cup; 42 g) of strawberry fruit pieces each day for three separate, two-week periods. Each two week period will be separated by a two-week interval.
1 serving (1/3 cup; 42 g) of sweetened, dried cranberries each day for three separate, two-week periods. Each two week period will be separated by a two-week interval.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Pre-treatment heterogeneity or prevalence
1\) Prevalence or heterogeneity of E. coli strains in UTI susceptible women pre-treatment
Time frame: Day 1 - prior to start of study treatment
Post-treatment heterogeneity
2\) a change in the heterogeneity of strains post treatment
Time frame: 2 weeks, 1 month, or 3 months
Patient acceptance of study regimen
3\) patient acceptance of the study regimen
Time frame: 2 weeks, 1 month, or 3 months
Maintenance of heterogeneity in the intestinal flora
To determine whether a shift towards strain heterogeneity in the intestinal flora can be maintained over a three month period.
Time frame: Approximately 3 months
Measure Effects of sweetened, dried cranberries on E. coli clonotypes over three two-week exposures
Measure effects of sweetened, dried cranberries on E. coli clonotypes over three two-week exposures
Time frame: Approximately 3 months
Measure effects of sweetened, dried cranberries on E. coli clonotypes over one 4-week exposure
Measure effects of sweetened, dried cranberries on E. coli clonotypes over one 4-week exposure
Time frame: 2 weeks, 1 month, or 3 months
Measure the UTI recurrence
Measure the UTI recurrence after 6 months from the beginning of the study.
Time frame: 2 weeks, 1 month, or 3 months
Comparison of sweetened dried cranberries to a placebo group
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1 serving (1/3 cup; 42 g) of sweetened, dried cranberries each day for one 4-week period.
1 serving (1/3 cup; 42 g) of strawberry fruit pieces each day for one 4-week period.
Subjects in the non-UTI susceptible group will have one visit where one vaginal and one rectal swab will be collected.
Comparison of sweetened dried cranberries to a placebo group (strawberry fruit pieces)
Time frame: 2 weeks, 1 month, or 3 months