Genitourinary Infections and Inflammation

Genitourinary infections and inflammation are intrinsically interconnected: pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) trigger dysregulated inflammatory responses, while unresolved inflammation exacerbates tissue damage and susceptibility to recurrent infections. This bidirectional relationship manifests clinically in conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs), epididymo-orchitis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis. Notably, key microbiological knowledge gaps persist: insufficient elucidation of pathogen-specific inflammatory signaling pathways, difficulties in distinguishing microbial-driven inflammation from non-infectious sources, and inadequate management of infection-associated tissue damage. Existing research frequently isolates infection control from inflammation modulation, hindering precision medicine approaches. This Research Topic, therefore, addresses the critical need to dissect microbial infection-inflammation crosstalk and advance clinical solutions in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

The central challenge in genitourinary inflammation management lies in untangling its bidirectional interplay with microbial infections to optimize outcomes. Key microbiological gaps include: (1) Insufficient understanding of how pathogens (e.g., E. coli, Candida spp.) hijack host inflammatory pathways, driving chronicity and tissue damage; (2) Clinical overreliance on antimicrobial monotherapies neglecting inflammation-driven morbidity during active infection; (3) Lack of validated biomarkers to guide anti-inflammatory interventions during microbial persistence. This Research Topic integrates microbial pathogenesis, clinical microbiology, and translational research to resolve these issues. We seek contributions that: (i) elucidate pathogen-specific mechanisms of infection-triggered inflammation (e.g., virulence factor-cytokine crosstalk, epithelial barrier disruption); (ii) develop diagnostics distinguishing microbial etiology from sterile inflammation; (iii) Design therapeutics synergizing antimicrobial action with pathogen-tailored immunomodulation (e.g., quorum sensing inhibitors, microbiota restoration). By bridging bench-to-bedside approaches, we establish frameworks balancing microbial clearance and inflammation control, ultimately reducing antimicrobial resistance and tissue sequelae.

This Research Topic prioritizes interdisciplinary investigations into genitourinary infection-inflammation dynamics, emphasizing microbial pathogenesis, diagnostic innovations, and therapeutic strategies. We invite contributions addressing core microbiology themes, including:

(1) Molecular mechanisms of pathogen-induced inflammation in urogenital tissues (e.g., virulence factor-immune crosstalk, epithelial barrier disruption).
(2) Microbial biomarkers for discriminating infectious versus sterile genitourinary inflammation.
(3) Therapeutic innovations targeting pathogen-host interfaces (e.g., anti-inflammatory adjuvants, targeted cytokine inhibitors, antivirulence compounds).
(4) Antimicrobial stewardship approaches incorporating inflammation-mediated outcomes and microbiome preservation.
(5)Comparative analyses of site-specific infection-inflammation profiles across urogenital niches (e.g., bladder, prostate, testis, cervix), incorporating microbiota variations.