Many women and men ask if D-Mannose can help with other types of infections besides E Coli.  The recent answer from the medical community is “Yes”.

Types of UTI Bacteria

First, here is a chart showing the types of bacteria that can cause a UTI, taken from a 2019 article in the Journal of Infection and Public Health.

  • The most frequently-occurring infections are caused by “gram-negative” bacteria (80%) versus “gram-positive” bacteria (20%).
  • Within the gram-negative category, the most frequent bacteria found are E Coli (70%)
  • Within the gram-positive category, the most frequent bacteria found are Staphylococcus haemolyticus (44%)

How To Find Out What Type of Bacteria Is Causing The UTI

In order to treat a UTI quickly and efficiently, the first step is to confirm what type of bacteria is causing it. This can only be done by having your doctor order a urine culture.

Many people do not realize that there are two types of urine tests for UTIs: a “dipstick test” (shown in photo) which evaluates the presence of bacteria; and a “urine culture” which is done in a laboratory and which identifies the type of bacteria which is causing the infection.

The vast majority of medical professionals conduct a dipstick test, but very few are going to the next level and sending your urine sample out to be cultured. It is nearly impossible to prescribe the right antibiotic without knowing what bacteria is causing the infection. This is one of the reasons why over 30% of all patients who have been treated with antibiotics are back in the doctor’s office 3 weeks after finishing up the antibiotics.

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Types of Bacteria Which Can Be Treated By D-Mannose

Many chronic UTI sufferers have given up on antibiotics and are now using D-Mannose as an alternative treatment to help with other infections. D-Mannose, a natural supplement, was originally thought to be effective only with E Coli bacteria. However, research published by the NIH recently shows that it represents a promising non-antibiotic prevention strategy for several other types of gram-negative bacteria.

The new bacteria added to the list are highlighted in yellow on the chart: Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia marcescens. So, D-Mannose works with 93% of all gram-negative bacteria, and 74% of all UTI bacteria.

How D-Mannose Works With Bacteria

D-Mannose is a simple sugar that is metabolized and excreted in urine. It works by preventing bacteria from adhering to the bladder lining, which is how they start an infection.

As illustrated, the bacteria have “fimbrae” or fingers which allow them to grab onto the bladder lining and colonize it.  The D-mannose specifically binds to the tip of the fimbrae and saturates the “FimH” adhesion substance which causes the bacteria to stick.  So, the bacteria just harmlessly wash out with the urine.

One way to find out if the D-Mannose has cleared out the infection is to buy urinary test strips and do a “dipstick test” at home..  The test strips will show 3 items: leukocytes (white blood cells), nitrites (residue from bacteria) and pH levels (how acidic or alkaline your urine is).  The bacteria are gone if the leukocytes and nitrites are negative and the pH level is between 6 and 7.