Clinical Presentation of Chronic Abacterial Prostatitis Shows No Association with TAS2R38 Taster Status

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Immunology
• Genetics

Background:

• Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is linked to urogenital infections and involves urethral tuft cells that detect microbial products.
• The T2R38 taste receptor plays a role in sensing microbial products, and impaired function is associated with respiratory infections.
• This study hypothesizes that impaired T2R38 function may affect bacterial urogenital infections, but not non-bacterial ones, in CP/CPPS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between TAS2R38 receptor functionality, assessed via a taste test, and the clinical presentation of chronic abacterial prostatitis type III.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 252 patients diagnosed with CP/CPPS between 2016 and 2025 underwent comprehensive andrological work-up.
• This included a TAS2R38 taste test, semen analysis (WHO 2021), ejaculate inflammatory markers, and microbiological examination of urine and ejaculate.

Main Results:

• Tasters comprised 55.95% and non-tasters 44.05% of the study population.
• No significant differences were observed between tasters and non-tasters regarding symptom burden, ejaculate parameters, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), or microbiological findings.
• Slightly higher seminal elastase and serum CRP levels in tasters were noted but considered statistically coincidental.

Conclusions:

• TAS2R38 taste receptor status in patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis type III shows no association with symptom severity.
• Ejaculate parameters and serum levels of PSA and CRP were not significantly influenced by TAS2R38 functionality in this patient group.