Prophylactic Potential of Heyndrickxia coagulans Strain LMG S-24828 in an In Vitro Model of ESBL–Escherichia coli Urothelial Infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections and represent a significant health concern worldwide. The most common cause of these infections is the Gram-negative bacterium <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>), an opportunistic commensal of the human gut that can shift to pathogenicity, leading to a wide variety of diseases. The increasing ability of <i>E. coli</i> to develop resistance to various classes of antibiotics underscores the urgent need for alternative approaches to clear up infections caused by this species. In this study, we analyzed the possible beneficial role of <i>Heyndrickxia coagulans</i> (<i>H. coagulans</i>) strain LMG S-24828 in an in vitro model of T24 urothelial cells infection by ESBL-producing <i>E. coli</i>. Our results showed that <i>H. coagulans</i> LMG S-24828 was able to: (i) reduce <i>E. coli</i> growth; (ii) impair <i>E. coli</i> adhesion to T24 urothelial cells; and (iii) modulate cytokine production by T24 urothelial cells per se and after <i>E. coli</i> infection. Collectively, these findings indicate a beneficial effect of <i>H. coagulans</i> strain LMG S-24828 against an ESBL-<i>E. coli</i> isolate in an in vitro model of T24 urothelial cell infection.