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Immunohistochemical demonstration of Chlamydial antigens in association with prostatitis
M S Shurbaji1, P K Gupta, J Myers
1Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
Abstract:
The occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis in association with histologically proven prostatitis was investigated. We used the immunoperoxidase technique with a monoclonal antibody against Chlamydia and evaluated formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from 16 cases of histologically proven prostatitis. Chlamydial antigens were detected within the prostate glands in 5 (31%) of these 16 cases. In contrast, none of 19 cases of prostatic hyperplasia without significant inflammation used as a control group showed staining for Chlamydia in the prostatic glands (P less than 0.03). Chlamydial antigens were, however, detected in the urothelium of the prostatic urethra in one of these control cases. Staining for Chlamydia occurred focally in atrophic glands and was associated with a predominantly chronic nonspecific inflammation. No cytoplasmic inclusions or other specific morphologic features of chlamydial infection could be identified on routine hematoxylin-eosin- or Giemsa-stained tissue sections from these specimens. Our results demonstrate that Chlamydia can infect the prostatic glands, and that its presence is statistically associated with marked nonspecific inflammation. We suggest that C. trachomatis may have an etiologic role in nonbacterial prostatitis.
Insights
Chlamydia trachomatis was found in 31% of prostatitis cases, suggesting it may cause nonbacterial prostatitis. This bacterium can infect prostate glands, leading to inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Prostatitis is a common condition with diverse etiologies.
- The role of Chlamydia trachomatis in prostatitis, particularly nonbacterial forms, remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and significance of Chlamydia trachomatis in prostate tissue from patients with prostatitis.
- To determine if Chlamydia trachomatis is associated with inflammation in the prostate glands.
Main Methods:
- Immunoperoxidase technique using a monoclonal antibody against Chlamydia.
- Evaluation of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded prostate sections from 16 prostatitis cases and 19 control cases (prostatic hyperplasia without inflammation).
Main Results:
- Chlamydial antigens were detected in prostate glands of 5 out of 16 (31%) prostatitis cases.
- No Chlamydia staining was observed in the prostate glands of control cases (P < 0.03).
- Focal staining in atrophic glands was associated with chronic nonspecific inflammation; no definitive inclusions were seen on routine stains.
Conclusions:
- Chlamydia trachomatis can infect prostate glands.
- The presence of Chlamydia trachomatis is statistically associated with significant prostatic inflammation.
- C. trachomatis may play an etiological role in nonbacterial prostatitis.