Genitourinary microbiota

The **genitourinary microbiota** comprises diverse microorganisms—including bacteria such as *Lactobacillus*, *Gardnerella*, coagulase-negative *Staphylococcus*, *Streptococcus*, and various anaerobes—residing in the urinary tract (kidneys, bladder, urethra) and genital tract mucosa. This microbial ecosystem contributes to local health by inhibiting pathogens, maintaining mucosal barrier function, and modulating the immune milieu. Disruption (dysbiosis) of the genitourinary microbiota is associated with increased risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs), recurrent cystitis, and possibly other complications such as bladder dysfunction and antibiotic resistance. Recent research considers the microbiota itself as a therapeutic "ecosystem" target, approached with interventions such as probiotics and FMT, but the microbiota itself is not a defined molecular target in the conventional pharmacologic sense[1][2][3][4][6].

Other names

Urinary microbiomeUrogenital microbiomeUrogenital microbiotaLower genitourinary tract microbiome

Restoration or modulation of microbial community (ecological restoration); Inhibition of pathogenic bacterial growth and adhesion (by probiotics); Immunomodulation (by specific strains, e.g., secretion of immunomodulatory proteins from *Lactobacillus*).