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Metabolomics strategy for diagnosing urinary tract infections

Author

Listed:
  • Carly C. Y. Chan

    (University of Calgary)

  • Daniel B. Gregson

    (University of Calgary
    University of Calgary)

  • Spencer D. Wildman

    (University of Calgary)

  • Dominique G. Bihan

    (University of Calgary)

  • Ryan A. Groves

    (University of Calgary)

  • Raied Aburashed

    (University of Calgary)

  • Thomas Rydzak

    (University of Calgary)

  • Keir Pittman

    (University of Calgary)

  • Nicolas Bavel

    (University of Calgary)

  • Ian A. Lewis

    (University of Calgary)

Abstract

Metabolomics has emerged as a mainstream approach for investigating complex metabolic phenotypes but has yet to be integrated into routine clinical diagnostics. Metabolomics-based diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is a logical application of this technology since microbial waste products are concentrated in the bladder and thus could be suitable markers of infection. We conducted an untargeted metabolomics screen of clinical specimens from patients with suspected UTIs and identified two metabolites, agmatine, and N6-methyladenine, that are predictive of culture-positive samples. We developed a 3.2-min LC-MS assay to quantify these metabolites and showed that agmatine and N6-methyladenine correctly identify UTIs caused by 13 Enterobacterales species and 3 non-Enterobacterales species, accounting for over 90% of infections (agmatine AUC > 0.95; N6-methyladenine AUC > 0.89). These markers were robust predictors across two blinded cohorts totaling 1629 patient samples. These findings demonstrate the potential utility of metabolomics in clinical diagnostics for rapidly detecting UTIs.

Suggested Citation

  • Carly C. Y. Chan & Daniel B. Gregson & Spencer D. Wildman & Dominique G. Bihan & Ryan A. Groves & Raied Aburashed & Thomas Rydzak & Keir Pittman & Nicolas Bavel & Ian A. Lewis, 2025. "Metabolomics strategy for diagnosing urinary tract infections," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57765-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57765-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thomas Rydzak & Ryan A. Groves & Ruichuan Zhang & Raied Aburashed & Rajnigandha Pushpker & Maryam Mapar & Ian A. Lewis, 2022. "Metabolic preference assay for rapid diagnosis of bloodstream infections," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Xiyang Dong & Jayne E. Rattray & D. Calvin Campbell & Jamie Webb & Anirban Chakraborty & Oyeboade Adebayo & Stuart Matthews & Carmen Li & Martin Fowler & Natasha M. Morrison & Adam MacDonald & Ryan A., 2020. "Thermogenic hydrocarbon biodegradation by diverse depth-stratified microbial populations at a Scotian Basin cold seep," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
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