Chlamydia trachomatis in 'abacterial' prostatitis: microbiological, cytological and serological studies

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• 'Abacterial' prostatitis presents a diagnostic challenge.
• Chlamydia trachomatis is a potential pathogen in prostatitis.
• Distinguishing inflammatory prostatitis from prostatodynia is clinically important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of Chlamydia trachomatis in 'abacterial' prostatitis.
• To identify markers differentiating inflammatory prostatitis from prostatodynia.

Main Methods:

• Urethral swabs were collected after prostatic massage.
• Prostatic secretions were analyzed for leucocytes.
• Microimmunofluorescence testing was used to detect Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies.

Main Results:

• Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from patients with 'abacterial' prostatitis.
• Leukocytal reaction in prostatic secretions was observed in 20 of 43 patients with C. trachomatis monoinfection.
• Elevated antibody titers against C. trachomatis were detected in patients with inflammatory prostatitis, but not in those with prostatodynia.

Conclusions:

• Chlamydia trachomatis can be a causative agent in 'abacterial' prostatitis.
• The presence of leukocytal reaction and specific antibodies aids in diagnosing C. trachomatis-induced prostatitis.
• Serological testing combined with inflammatory markers can differentiate C. trachomatis prostatitis from prostatodynia.