Prostatitis Research Articles

Predictors of Symptom Severity in Patients With Chronic Prostatitis and Interstitial Cystitis

Numerous studies have been performed to identify potential risk factors for CP/CPPS and IC. However, few studies have been done to identify predictors of disease severity. A total of 174 men with CP/CPPS and 111 women with IC completed questionnaires to quantify symptom severity and identify demographic, medical and psychosocial characteristics. Symptom severity was assessed with the National Institutes of Health CPSI in men, and the O'Leary-Sant ICSI and problem index in women. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify characteristics predictive of worse symptoms. The mean National Institutes of Health CPSI score in men was 15.32, and the mean O'Leary-Sant ICSI and problem index in women was 19.17. The most commonly reported comorbidities were allergies, sinusitis, erectile dysfunction and irritable bowel syndrome in men, and allergies, urinary incontinence, sinusitis and irritable bowel syndrome in women. In the 2 sexes self-reported urinary frequency and urgency, worse depression scores and lower education level were independent predictors of worse symptom severity. In men additional independent predictors were self-reported pelvic pain, fibromyalgia and previous heart attack, and in women an additional independent predictor was postmenopausal status. There are several common medical conditions associated with urological pelvic pain syndromes in men and women. Few of them were predictive of symptoms severity in this analysis. Self-reported pelvic pain symptoms, education and depression severity were the factors most strongly predictive of symptom severity in patients with CP/CPPS and IC.

Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

We review the diagnosis, categorization, and treatment of prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome based on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) classification. Prostatitis is an extremely common syndrome that afflicts 2%-10% of men. Formerly a purely clinical diagnosis, prostatitis is now classified within a complex series of syndromes (NIH category I-IV prostatitis) that vary widely in clinical presentation and response to treatment. Acute bacterial prostatitis (category I) and chronic bacterial prostatitis (category II) are characterized by uropathogenic infections of the prostate gland that respond well to antimicrobial treatment. In contrast, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (category III), which accounts for 90%-95% of prostatitis cases, is of unknown etiology and is marked by a mixture of pain, urinary, and ejaculatory symptoms with no uniformly effective therapy. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis (category IV) is an incidental finding of unknown clinical significance. This review describes the current status of prostatitis syndromes and explores the future prospects of new diagnostic tools and therapies.

Effects of Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis on Prostate Specific Antigen Levels Total and Free in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer

Prostatic-specific antigen (PSA), a tumor marker helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of prostate cancer, may rise due to causes such as prostatitis, chronic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP), etc. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between prostatitis and the level of total and free prostate-specific antigen in patients with no clinical evidence of prostate cancer. A comprehensive urological examination was performed on 156 patients aged 35-61 years old. All patients have symptoms of prostatitis. Prostate fluid culture was preformed. All patients underwent a course of antibacterial treatment after which the levels of total prostate specific antigen (TPSA) and free prostate specific antigen (FPSA) were evaluated. An increase in TPSA (> 4 ng/ml) was observed in 14/24 (58.3%) patients with acute prostatitis and in 7/45 (15.5%) and 4/44 (9.1%) in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) and a bacterial prostatitis, respectively. Low blood concentration of TPSA and FPSA were observed after effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment therapy in most cases. These data suggested that prostatitis must be considered when interpretation of TPSA and FPSA values as tumor marker.

The Observation of Psychological Problem of Chronic Prostatitis patients after STD

目的 了解抑郁和焦虑等因素在性病后前列腺炎病人的相关性.方法2004年6月～2005年6月共收治患者84例,分为观察组和对照组,各42例.观察组采用药物赛乐特20mg,每晚1次,同时口服男康片,对照组单纯口服男康片,比较两组的有效率.结果治疗组有效率为85.7%,对照组为66.7%,有显著性差异.结论性病后前列腺炎综合病人明显具有心理因素,对治疗效果有一定影响,可考虑合并抗抑郁和焦虑药物治疗。

Value of semen culture in the diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis: A simplified method

To investigate the role of semen cultures versus segmented urine cultures for the diagnosis of bacterial chronic prostatitis. We retrospectively examined 895 patients (age range 17-67 years) who met the consensus criteria for clinical chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, 50.1% of whom had dysuria and/or perineal discomfort, 37.4% infertility of unknown etiology and 12.5% erectile dysfunction. Segmented urine cultures, including expressed prostatic secretions (EPSs) and semen culture, were performed in all patients. Of the 895 patients, 182 had significant positive cultures for Gram-negative microorganisms (Escherichia coli was the commonest specimen isolated: 70.4% of cases) and 283 had significant positive cultures for Gram-positive microorganisms. We compared the culture yield in EPS and/or the urine voided after prostatic massage (VB3) sample (four-glass method) with that of the semen sample. In the Gram-negative group, 32 patients were diagnosed by means of semen culture (negative EPS and/or VB3 sample) and in only five cases was a positive diagnosis made despite a negative semen culture (positive EPS and/or VB3 sample). In the remaining subjects, diagnosis was performed with the aid of both EPS/VB3 sample and semen (both of which were positive). In the Gram-positive group, there was significant growth of such microorganisms in semen in every case considered positive, but in only 46 cases was diagnosis achieved via EPS and/or VB3 sample. A diagnosis of chronic prostatitis by Gram-positive microorganisms in these patients was only considered when the same microorganism was retrieved in repeated cultures without previous treatment. Only three cases met such criteria (all of whom had negative EPSs). To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the semen and EPS samples, we analyzed their sensitivity and specificity, obtaining higher sensitivity in semen than EPS samples for significant Gram-negative cultures: 97% vs 82.4%. In significant Gram-positive cultures, the sensitivity of semen samples was 100%, compared to only 16.1% for EPS. A semen sample has higher sensitivity than an EPS for the diagnosis of bacterial chronic prostatitis. In our clinical work-up, first-void urine and a semen culture are considered the only tests necessary to diagnose chronic prostatitis.

The Relationship between Inflammation or Bacterial Infection according to the Traditional 4-glass Tests or Tc-99m Ciprofloxacin Imaging and the Scores of the National Institute of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index in Men with Chronic Prostatitis

Purpose: We wanted to determine whether inflammation and bacterial infection, as tested for by the traditional 4-glass test or Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging, correlate with the symptom severity in men with chronic prostatitis. Materials and Methods: The study included 256 patients with symptoms of prostatitis. The Korean version of the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) was used to measure the symptoms of each patient. To diagnose bacterial infection, four-glass tests were performed that included culture for general bacteria, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum, and polymerase chain reaction was performed for Chlamydia trachomatis. The patients with established uropathogens localized to the expressed prostatic secretion or the voided urine 3 were classified as having chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). To further localize the infection, the single photon emission computerized tomography images were obtained 3 hours after intravenous injection of Tc-99m ciprofloxacin. Associations between the symptoms and the inflammation and infection were evaluated. Results: Based on the 4-glass tests, the patients were classified as CBP (n=16) or as chronic pelvis pain syndrome (CCPS) (the inflammatory type, n=94; non-inflammatory type, n=146). The CBP patients had a higher pain score than did the CPPS patients and there were no significant differences in the subscores for voiding symptoms and the quality of life between the groups. No significant differences were found in the total score or the subscores of the NIH-CPSI based on the presence or location of infection on the Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging. Conclusions: These findings suggest that bacterial infection, not inflammation, as determined by traditional laboratory tests contribute to the symptoms, especially pain, in men with chronic prostatitis. (Korean J Urol 2006; 47:870-875)

COMBINATION REGIMEN IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PROSTATITIS

The aim of the study was to report our experiences in the treatment of chronic prostatitis using combination regimen including ciprofloxacin, doxazosin, allopurinol and biofeedback perineal massage. From May 2003 to April 2004, 7 patients with NIH Category II-chronic bacterial prostatitis and 7 patients with NIH Category IIIA-inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome were treated. The NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) was scored by the patient before and after the treatment, 6 months later. In Category II patients, the bacterial eradication rate was 71% after ciprofloxacin treatment during a follow-up of 6 months. The beneficial response rate to allopurinol, doxazosin and biofeedback perineal massage was 50%, 42% and 85%, respectively. In NIH Category IIIA patients, the individual beneficial response rate to ciprofloxacin, allopurinol, doxazosin and biofeedback perineal massage was 57%, 100%, 71% and 100%, respectively. Comparing pre-treatment and post-treatment results of the combination regimen, there was a statistically significant improvement in the 3 domains of pain score, urinary symptoms and quality of life impact of the NIH-CPSI. Combination regimen including ciprofloxacin, doxazosin allopurinol and biofeedback perineal massage in the treatment of chronic prostatitis is a safe and effective modality in our limited experience.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Transperineal Intraprostatic Injection and Oral Administration of Fluoroquinolone in Men with Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis-Seminal Vesiculitis

Purpose: Although oral antibiotic therapy remains the most common treatment modality for chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP), it is known to have problems, such as potential adverse effects and the development of bacterial resistance. We compared the effects of oral and local injection therapies, with fluoroquinolones, in patients diagnosed as having chronic bacterial prostatitis/seminal vesiculitis, from Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging. Materials and Methods: The study randomly included 79 patients with symptom of prostatitis, who also showed hot uptake in the prostate or seminal vesicle on Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging. A total of 53 patients received oral antibiotics for 3 months. In 26 patients, a local injection of ciprofloxacin into the prostate and/or seminal vesicle was performed via the transperineal route, with transrectal ultrasonography guidance. Fourglass tests and Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging were performed, and the patients were asked to complete National institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) questionnaires at the baseline and 3 months after the initiation of therapy. Results: The total score or subscores from the NIH-CPSI and bacteriological study after treatment was significantly decreased in both groups compared to that before treatment. The complete cure rate, based on the Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging findings, was significantly higher in the local injection (23.1%) than the oral therapy group (16.9%, p<0.024). In the local injection group, 15 men (57.7%) showed transient hematuria and/or bloody ejaculation, but without any serious side effects. Conclusions: A transperineal lesional injection of fluoroquinolone will be a valuable therapeutic alternative in men with chronic bacterial prostatitis/ seminal vesiculitis; although a long term outcome study will be required. (Korean J Urol 2006;47:1185-1190) 󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏

ORIGINAL RESEARCH—EJACULATORY DISORDERS: Chronic Prostatitis in Premature Ejaculation: A Cohort Study in 153 Men

Premature ejaculation is a common male sexual dysfunction, affecting 30-40% of sexually active men in an age-dependent manner. Chronic prostatitis has been suggested as an important organic cause of premature ejaculation. The aim of this study was to confirm previous data reported on the incidence of chronic prostatitis in a large cohort of patients with primary and secondary premature ejaculation. A total of 153 consecutive heterosexual men aged 29-51 years with premature ejaculation and another 100 male healthy subjects were included in this study. Sequential microbiologic specimens were obtained according to the standardized Meares and Stamey protocol. Nonbacterial prostatitis was defined by the evidence of prostatic inflammation but negative cultures of urine and prostatic fluids in men with various genitourinary symptoms. There was no significant difference between patients and control subjects regarding age, education, or intercourse frequency. Prostatic inflammation was found in 64% and chronic bacterial prostatitis in 52% of the patients with premature ejaculation, respectively, showing statistical significance compared with control subjects (P < 0.05). Results in our study showed a high prevalence of chronic prostatitis in patients with premature ejaculation. Examination of the prostate, physically and microbiologically, should be considered during assessment of patients with premature ejaculation.

Anti-inflammatory Effect of Lycopene on Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis Rat Model

Purpose: Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) is the most common urological disease in adult males, with antibiotic therapy being the gold standard for its treatment. However, long-term therapy results in many side effects as well as bacterial resistance. For these reasons, there is a need for a new treatment modality to replace traditional antibiotic therapy. Lycopene, an extract of tomatoes, has antioxidant effects against various bacteria and synergistic effects with antibiotics. We evaluate the synergistic effects of lycopene on the treatment of CBP in an animal model. Materials and Methods: Forty five rats demonstrating CBP were randomly divided into 4 groups; the control, lycopene, ciprofloxacin and lycopene with ciprofloxacin groups. All drug treatments were conducted over a period of 2 weeks. After treatment, the results were analyzed, with the microbiological cultures and histological findings of the prostate and urine samples compared with the control group and between each group. Results: The uses of ciprofloxacin, and lycopene with ciprofloxacin showed statistically significant decreases in bacterial growth and improvements in prostatic inflammation compared with the control group (p< 0.05). The lycopene with ciprofloxacin group showed a statistically significant decrease in bacterial growth and improvements in prostatic inflammation compared with the ciprofloxacin group (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that lycopene may be an effective material in the treatment of CBP. Especially, the combination treatment of lycopene and ciprofloxacin has synergistic effects. Therefore, it is suggest that the combination of lycopene and ciprofloxacin may be effective in the treatment of CBP, and with a higher success rate. (Korean J Urol 2006;47:1348-1353) ꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏ

Acute bacterial prostatitis: two different sub-categories according to a previous manipulation of the lower urinary tract

Acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) (NIH Category I), has not undergone any modification in the update of prostatitis classification. ABP was diagnosed in 614 patients in our centre over 9 years (1993-2001). We analyse the clinical pattern of ABP and the role of bladder outlet obstruction in its etiology, as well as whether two different ABP sub-categories could be defined as a function of a history of previous manipulation of the lower urinary tract. The results of the study show that the clinical pattern of a patient suffering from ABP does not differ from the statements of previous publications. On the other hand, patients with ABP have been shown to present with no bladder outlet obstruction. Finally, this study has disclosed the fact that the cases of ABP elicited by previous manipulation of the lower urinary tract (10%) show a different pattern from those cases where no previous manipulation has occurred (90%). The patients with ABP secondary to manipulation are older, have a higher risk of prostate abscess and higher frequency of multiple infections and also infections by pathogens other than Escherichia coli. Due to all of these reasons, it would be advisable to subdivide category I within the classification of prostatitis.

Leukocyte and bacterial counts do not correlate with severity of symptoms in men with chronic prostatitis: the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Cohort Study.

We examine whether leukocytes and bacteria correlate with symptom severity in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. All 488 men screened into the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Cohort Study before close of recruitment on August 22, 2001 were selected for analysis. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index, including subscores, were used to measure symptoms. Urethral inflammation was defined as white blood cell (WBC) counts of 1 or more (1+) in the first voided urine. Participants were classified as category IIIa based on WBC counts of 5 or more, or 10 or more (5+, 10+) in the expressed prostatic secretion, or 1+ or 5+ either in the post-expressed prostatic secretion urine (voided urine 3) or semen. Uropathogens were classified as localizing if the designated bacterial species were absent in voided urine 1 and voided urine 2 but present in expressed prostatic secretion, voided urine 3 or semen, or present in expressed prostatic secretion, voided urine 3 or semen at 2 log concentrations higher than at voided urine 1 or 2. Associations between symptoms, and inflammation and infection were investigated using generalized Mantel-Haenszel methods. Of all participants 50% had urethral leukocytes and of 397 with expressed prostatic secretion samples 194 (49%) and 122 (31%) had 5+ or 10+ WBCs in expressed prostatic secretion, respectively. The prevalence of category IIIa ranged from 90% to 54%, depending on the composite set of cut points. None of the index measures were statistically different (p >0.10) for selected leukocytosis subgroups. Based on prostate and semen cultures, 37 of 488 men (8%) had at least 1 localizing uropathogen. None of the index measures were statistically different (p >0.10) for selected bacterial culture subgroups. Although men with chronic prostatitis routinely receive anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial therapy, we found that leukocytes and bacterial counts as we defined them do not correlate with severity of symptoms. These findings suggest that factors other than leukocytes and bacteria also contribute to symptoms associated with chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Validity and responsiveness of the national institutes of health chronic prostatitis symptom index.

The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) was validated in a sample of men with longstanding prostatitis but it has not been validated in primary care samples or assessed for responsiveness to change. We assessed its reliability, validity and responsiveness to change in a sample of men with pelvic pain visits to health maintenance organization primary care and urology clinics. A total of 261 men with recent primary care or urology clinic visits for pelvic pain and no evidence of specific disease completed the NIH-CPSI and validated generic pain and health-related quality of life measures (Graded Chronic Pain Scale, Short-Form 36 and Short-Form 12 scales) in a telephone interview approximately 1 month after the visit, of whom 230 (88%) completed the measures again 3 months later. Validity was demonstrated for the NIH-CPSI pain and quality of life scales through their moderate correlations with other validated measures of these constructs. The NIH-CPSI total scale but not the subscales showed high internal consistency. The pain, quality of life and total scores were moderately responsive to change (effect size -0.57 to -0.60), but the urinary symptoms scale was less responsive (effect size -0.18). The NIH-CPSI total score appears to be a valid, reliable, responsive measure of prostatitis symptoms in primary and secondary care patients. The findings support the use of the total score as an outcome measure. It may be useful to supplement it with valid, reliable measures of pain intensity and activity interference.

Transperineal prostate biopsy after abdominoperineal resection.

Prostate cancer evaluation in men who have undergone abdominoperineal resection poses a challenge for urologists. Diagnosis and staging methods are limited because as access to the prostate via digital rectal examination is not possible. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been used to screen for malignancy in this population. However, the conventional diagnostic technique with transrectal ultrasound guided biopsies cannot be used. Transperineal ultrasound and biopsy have been described to evaluate the prostate in this setting. We report our experience with transperineal ultrasound biopsy for evaluating the prostate in patients with elevated PSA who have previously undergone abdominoperineal resection. We reviewed the records of 28 patients treated at 2 institutions. All patients had a history of abdominoperineal resection and subsequent transperineal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy for evaluating elevated PSA. Mean serum PSA in this population was 22 ng./ml. (median 9.5, range 4.1 to 237). Abdominoperineal resection was done in 16 patients (57%) for colorectal cancer, in 11 (39%) for ulcerative colitis and in 1 (4%) for familial polyposis coli. Average time since resection was 14 years (range 1 to 33). Five patients had previously undergone radiation therapy as part of treatment for colorectal cancer before transperineal ultrasound biopsy. Of the 28 biopsies performed 23 revealed prostate cancer, 2 revealed prostatitis and 3 were benign. Average Gleason grade was 6.6 (range 3 to 9). Of the 23 patients with prostate cancer 22 were treated with androgen deprivation therapy (7), prostatectomy (8), external beam (6) and high dose (1) radiation therapy. Of the 8 patients who underwent prostatectomy pathological stage was T2 in 3 and T3 in 4, while pathological findings were not determined in 1 patient in whom the prostate was removed in pieces. In patients with a history of abdominoperineal resection and elevated PSA transperineal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate can provide an accurate tissue diagnosis.

Mouse model for acute bacterial prostatitis in genetically distinct inbred strains

Objectives Prostatitis is a common urologic disease seen in adult men. As many as 50% of men will experience an episode of prostatitis in their lifetime, and 2% to 3% of men will have bacterial prostatitis. Because the pathogenic mechanisms of prostatitis remain unclear, we developed a reproducible mouse model of bacterial prostatitis in which to study the etiology and host factors associated with infection susceptibility. Methods Male BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, C3H/HeOuJ, C57BL/6J, and (BALB/c × C3H/HeJ)F l mice 13 weeks old were inoculated intraurethrally with 2 × 10 6 or 2 × 10 8 Escherichia coli. Control mice were inoculated with phosphate-buffered saline. The animals were killed at 5 days after inoculation to assess the intensities of the bladder and prostate infections. Results Significant bladder or prostate infections were not present in the BALB/c, C57BL/6J, or (BALB/c × C3H/HeJ)F l mice at either inoculum dose. In contrast, both C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeOuJ mice developed high bladder infections and severe, acute prostatitis at both doses. Control mice infected with phosphate-buffered saline had no bladder or prostate infections. The P values were less than 0.01 for the comparison of bladder and prostate colony-forming units between C3H/HeJ or C3H/HeOuJ and BALB/c, C57BL/6J, or F 1 mice. Conclusions The strain-dependent differences in susceptibility indicate that genetic factors may play a major role in the etiology of bacterial prostatitis. Because F 1 mice did not develop significant bladder and prostate infections, similar to the BALB/c parents, it appears that infection susceptibility is a recessive trait. The availability of this model will allow us to investigate the immunology, genetics, and histopathologic features of bacterial infection of the prostate.

Prostatitis and male chronic pelvic pain

<h2>Abstract</h2> The term ‘prostatitis' is commonly used for a group of disorders characterized by genital or pelvic pain and urinary symptoms. To avoid confusion between prostatic infection and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), the terms ‘prostatitis' and ‘chronic prostatitis' are best avoided. Acute and chronic infections of the prostate are uncommon and may be caused by a wide range of organisms. CPPS is the most common category; the cause remains unknown. The four-glass test was used to investigate presumed prostatic infection or inflammation, but the test was essentially unvalidated and its results do not correlate with symptoms or clinical outcome. Bacterial prostatic infections are most often caused by Gram-negative rods, particularly Escherichia coli. Acute bacterial prostatitis causes abrupt onset of symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI) with systemic and prostatic symptoms; hospitalization may be necessary for intravenous antibiotics and fluids. The hallmark of chronic bacterial prostatitis is recurrent UTI caused by the same organism. Treatment with a quinolone antibiotic for 4 weeks achieves cure rates of about two-thirds at 6 months. CPPS is common at all ages, with a peak range of 35–45 years. Typically, patients complain of weeks or months of perineal or penile pain, often with urinary symptoms and sexual dysfunction. Management is difficult; the evidence base for treatment remains limited and effective treatment has not been identified. Small controlled trials support use of selective α-blockade (e.g. tamsulosin) in severe cases. Candidate therapies are being investigated. About one-third of patients report resolution of symptoms within 1 year.

Inconsistent localization of gram-positive bacteria to prostate-specific specimens from patients with chronic prostatitis

Objectives To determine the rate of gram-positive localizations and whether repetitive cultures demonstrate consistent localization of gram-positive bacteria in patients with chronic prostatitis symptoms. Methods We repeated localization cultures at different visits for untreated patients with chronic prostatitis symptoms. Results A total of 470 patients with chronic prostatitis had lower urinary tract localization cultures done. Ten-fold increases in the concentrations of gram-positive bacteria were noted when the postprostatic massage (VB3) or expressed prostatic secretions cultures were compared with first-void urine (VB1) cultures from 29 patients (6%). This was comparable to the 7% rate of gram-negative chronic bacterial prostatitis. We studied 49 patients who had undergone 130 repeated localization studies (median 2, range 2 to 4). Repeatedly negative studies were found in 20 patients, including 19 who each had undergone two studies and 1 who had undergone four studies. Of 9 patients who each had undergone three or four studies, 9 demonstrated localization of at least one gram-positive species. Of the 29 patients with gram-positive localizations, 27 (94%) did not have consistent localization of the gram-positive species. Conclusions Patients with chronic prostatitis demonstrated localization of gram-positive bacteria, but the results were seldom reproducible in untreated patients. Gram-positive localizations may represent nonpathogens, transient bacterial colonization of the lower urinary tract, or intermittent shedding of prostatic pathogens. The limitations of traditional cultures highlight the need for better diagnostic approaches and improved recommendations for antimicrobial therapy.

The role of ultrasound and polyoxydonium in improving efficacy of treatment for chronic bacterial prostatitis

The role of ultrasound and polyoxydonium in improving efficacy of treatment for chronic bacterial prostatitis

Biofilms bacterianos e infección

In developed countries we tend to think of heart disease and the numerous forms of cancer as the main causes of mortality, but on a global scale infectious diseases come close, or may even be ahead: 14.9 million deaths in 2002 compared to cardiovascular diseases (16.9 million deaths) and cancer (7.1 million deaths) (WHO report 2004). The infectious agents responsible for human mortality have evolved as medical techniques and hygienic measures have changed. Modern-day acute infectious diseases caused by specialized bacterial pathogens such as diphtheria, tetanus, cholera, plague, which represented the main causes of death at the beginning of XX century, have been effectively controlled with antibiotics and vaccines. In their place, more than half of the infectious diseases that affect mildly immunocompromised patients involve bacterial species that are commensal with the human body; these can produce chronic infections, are resistant to antimicrobial agents and there is no effective vaccine against them. Examples of these infections are the otitis media, native valve endocarditis, chronic urinary infections, bacterial prostatitis, osteomyelitis and all the infections related to medical devices. Direct analysis of the surface of medical devices or of tissues that have been foci of chronic infections shows the presence of large numbers of bacteria surrounded by an exopolysaccharide matrix, which has been named the "biofilm". Inside the biofilm, bacteria grow protected from the action of the antibodies, phagocytic cells and antimicrobial treatments. In this article, we describe the role of bacterial biofilms in human persistent infections.

Prostatitis’ epidemiology of inflammation

Approximately 8 million prostatitis-related outpatient visits per year have been reported worldwide. Only a small percentage presents with bacterial prostatitis. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome/prostatodynia is a frustrating disease for patients and caregivers. This paper is an attempt to analyze causes and types of inflammation and to determine if inflammation may have an impact on treatment and outcome. Is inflammation even a relevant factor in the diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain syndrome? Do we need to begin to look for different factors involved in the development of this often crippling disease?