As part of its 10th anniversary year, Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research (SMSR) has announced it will be funding over £300,000 towards two new research projects investigating the prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients.

The first study will see researchers from the Royal Berkshire Hospital undertake a three-year study using Uromone, a new vaccine, as an immune-stimulating UTI prophylaxis in SCI patients. Uromune has been developed to stop bladder infections from happening and is a spray used every day under the tongue for three months. Scientific trials from around the world have shown it to be very effective at preventing water infections in people who used to get frequent infection despite using other treatments and has a success rate of up to 90%. This treatment could be life changing, yet it has never been used in SCI patients. Researchers hope to change this by comparing how effective Uromune is at preventing bladder infections against a fake Uromune by using the most scientifically accurate type of research study. The study will involve patients at the Duke of Cornwall spinal treatment centre, Salisbury.

“People with SCI suffer with more urinary tract infections than average,” explains SMSR Research Manager, Derek Cutler. “Unfortunately, even with the best treatment, severe infection can happen which in some cases may even lead to death. To stop infections happening so frequently, patients may take a daily low dose antibiotic. However, bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, and the more antibiotics used, the worse this problem becomes.”

Further funding of £150,000 will support a two-year international study at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, examining whether re-use or single use of catheters in SCI patients is the safest, and best option, in the prevention of UTIs.

SMSR will launch the two new projects at a free webinar on Monday 10th July. To find out more and to register, visit www.lifeafterparalysis.com/webinar-july-2023.