Ultrastructural mechanisms of recurrent cystitis development in women (a pilot study)

Comparative studies were conducted on the ultrastructural state of the urothelial barrier of the bladder in a patient without a urogynaecological history and in four patients with recurrent cystitis, both before and after standard treatment, which included bladder instillations of a solution containing hyaluronic acid. Clinical, laboratory, and instrumental baseline investigations were supplemented with high-tech scanning electron microscopy of urothelial biopsies at magnifications of up to 7000 times. Visual differences were identified in the integrity of the urothelial barrier between the patient without a urogynaecological history and the patients with recurrent cystitis. Following the comprehensive therapy, there was a tendency towards a reduction in the width of intercellular spaces, along with an increase in the size of urothelial cells and a decrease in clinical and laboratory manifestations. One of the key factors contributing to the recurrence of cystitis in women is the insufficiency of the urothelial barrier.