Significance of Chlamydia trachomatis in “Abacterial” Prostatitis

Abstract

Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis was isolated in McCoy cell cultures from urethral swabs after prostatic massage, of 43 out of 233 patients (18.5%) with symptoms of “abacterial” prostatitis, but also from 5 out of 65 control persons (7.7%). Numbers of granulocytes in sediments of cytocentrifuged urine voided after prostatic massage were normal (≤ 2, magn. 400 ×) in all 65 control persons, but were increased in 26 out of 43 patients with symptoms of “abacterial” prostatitis (≥ 4, magn. 400 ×). Using an (H + L) chain specific anti-IgG FITC conjugate, microimmunofluorescence tests for detection of antibodies against C. trachomatis could be performed with the sera of all 65 control persons and with those of 37 out of the 43 patients. All control persons, even those five with positive C. trachomatis culture, were serologically negative (titer < 1:8), while in 13 out of 15 C. trachomatis positive patients with a definitive diagnosis of “abacterial” prostatitis, humoral antibodies with titers of ≥ 1:8, predominantly against serotypes I, J, E, and G, were detected. Serological results correlated well with granulocyte counts in urines after prostatic massage. Patients with symptoms of “abacterial” prostatitis with normal granulocyte counts (≤ 2) and negative serology (titer < 1:8) were considered suffering from “pro-statodynia”.