title: Assessment of the antimicrobial effect of three plants used for therapy of community-acquired urinary tract infection in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the infectious diseases of bacterial origin most commonly diagnosed, and may result in a significant mortality. The microorganisms most frequently involved in community-acquired infections are Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, both Gram-negative bacillus of the Enterobacteriaceae family. In southern Brazil, it is common the treatment of UTI using herbs and teas, a tradition inherited from the ancient indigenous people. Nevertheless, there is still poor scientific information about the action of these plants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tests included the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by microdilution method at concentrations of 5000-156.25 μg/μL, and evaluation of antimicrobial activity by agar disc diffusion method at concentrations 500-12.5 μg/μL, against the microorganisms Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the tests for MIC and antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion method in agar, the growth of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were not inhibited by extracts from Piptochaetium montevidense, Bulbostylis capillaris and Juncus capillaceus employed in the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the popular use of the plants used in this study, there is no relation between the use and the expected antimicrobial activity. Prolonged use of these plants may worsen the disease and lead to kidney involvement, and in severe cases, lead to death.
authors.affiliation: Curso de Farmácia, Centro Universitário UNIVATES, Av Avelino Tallini, 171 Lajeado, RS 95900-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: A P D
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Taschetto
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dall'agnol
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weidlich
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ethur
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001938:Brazil; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D029785:Cyperaceae; D052978:Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D006109:Poaceae; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts