Effect of cranberry extract on bacteriuria and pyuria in persons with neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether antibacterial effects of cranberry extract will reduce or eliminate bacteriuria and pyuria in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
Participants were people with SCI residing in the community who were 1 year or longer postinjury with neurogenic bladder managed by intermittent catheterization or external collection device and a baseline urine culture demonstrating at least 10(5) colonies per milliliter of bacteria.


METHODS
Each participant ingested 2 g of concentrated cranberry juice or placebo in capsule form daily for 6 months. Baseline urinalysis and cultures were performed at the time of the initial clinic visit and monthly for 6 months. Microbiologic data were evaluated using analysis of variance with repeated measures.


RESULTS
Twenty-six persons received cranberry extract and 22 persons received placebo. There were no differences or trends detected between participants and controls with respect to number of urine specimens with bacterial counts of at least 10(4) colonies per milliliter, types and numbers of different bacterial species, numbers of urinary leukocytes, urinary pH, or episodes of symptomatic urinary tract infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Cranberry extract taken in capsule form did not reduce bacteriuria and pyuria in persons with SCI and cannot be recommended as a means to treat these conditions.
Waites
Ken B
KB
Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35249-7331, USA. waites@path.uab.edu
Canupp
Kay C
KC
Armstrong
Sarah
S
DeVivo
Michael J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002214:Capsules; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011776:Pyuria / Q000209:etiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology; D029799:Vaccinium macrocarpon / Q000737:chemistry*
D002214:Capsules; D010936:Plant Extracts