Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2025
Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice
Published on: December 4, 2020
Propionibacterium acnes in urine and semen samples from men with urinary infection
Lucrezia Manente1, Umberto Gargiulo1, Paolo Gargiulo1
1Biodata s.r.l Clinical, Molecular and Genetics Laboratory, Salerno. l_manente@yahoo.it.
Objective:
Propionibacterium acnes has been implicated in the pathogenesis of prostate disease as acute and chronic prostatic inflammation, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer although it should still be clarified if Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a commensal or accidental prostate pathogen. Aiming to evaluate the pathogenic potential for genitourinary tract of Propionibacterium acnes, we investigated the frequency of P. acnes genome in urine or semen samples from men with recurrent symptoms of urinary infection and negative testing for the most common urinary tract pathogens and sexually transmitted infections (STI) agents as Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum.
Materials And Methods:
The DNA extracted from urine and semen samples was analyzed for evaluating the P. acnes genome presence by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Infections were treated with vancomycin and cephalosporins antibiotics and then the search for the P.acnes genome by realtime PCR was repeated.
Results:
The P. acnes qualitative real-time PCR revealed the genome in 73 out of 159 samples examined (108 urine and 51 semen). After antibiotic therapy, P. acnes was never detected.
Conclusions:
These results suggested that P. acnes genome determination should be performed in cases of chronic inflammation in the urinary tract to identify an unknown potential pathogen of genitourinary tract.
Insights
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) was detected in men with recurrent urinary infections. Antibiotic treatment eliminated P. acnes, suggesting it may be a treatable pathogen in genitourinary tract infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is increasingly implicated in prostate diseases.
- Its role as a commensal or pathogen in the genitourinary tract requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the pathogenic potential of P. acnes in the genitourinary tract.
- To investigate the prevalence of P. acnes in men with recurrent urinary infections unresponsive to common treatments.
Main Methods:
- Real-time PCR was used to detect P. acnes DNA in urine and semen samples.
- Samples were collected from men with recurrent urinary symptoms and negative tests for common pathogens and STIs.
- Patients received antibiotic treatment (vancomycin and cephalosporins) followed by repeat P. acnes testing.
Main Results:
- P. acnes DNA was detected in 73 out of 159 samples (45.9%).
- The bacterium was found in both urine (108 samples) and semen (51 samples).
- Following antibiotic therapy, P. acnes was no longer detectable in any samples.
Conclusions:
- P. acnes may be an unrecognized pathogen contributing to chronic urinary tract inflammation.
- Detection of P. acnes genome should be considered in cases of persistent genitourinary inflammation.
- Antibiotic treatment appears effective in eradicating P. acnes from the genitourinary tract.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction
01:30Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:26Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test
01:25Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
01:28Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management