This study is being done to identify those elements of the immune response that may predispose a woman to recurrent urinary tract infection. We suspect that lesser effectiveness of certain components of the host response will lead to recurrent urinary tract infection. We will also evaluate the role that the bladder reservoir may play in recurrent urinary tract infection.

Procedures subjects will undergo once they have read and signed the consent are:

Questions about their medical and sexual history and current symptoms of urinary tract infection. They will be asked to provide a clean catch urine sample. We will collect periurethral, vaginal and rectal swabs. Blood will collected. They will be given a diary to take home and record all episodes of sexual intercourse, contraceptive use, vaginal and urinary symptoms and medication use.

They will be given standard treatment for the current urinary tract infection. Follow-up visits will be scheduled 2 weeks,one month,two month and three month after initial visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female
• Age 18-49 years
• Able to provide written informed consent
• diagnosis of acute cystitis with symptoms for fewer than 7 days

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not pregnant or planning pregnancy in next 3 months
• No chronic illness requiring medical supervision (e.g. diabetes mellitus)
• No known anatomic or functional abnormalities of the urinary tract
• No signs or symptoms suggestive of pyelonephritis (flank pain or tenderness, temperature over 100 degrees F, nausea or vomiting)

Women between the ages of 18-49 with symptoms of a urinary tract infection for fewer than 7 days