Related Experiment Videos
Studies on the role of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in prostatitis
Abstract:
It has definitely been demonstrated that Ureaplasma urealyticum is one etiologic agent of nongonococcal urethritis, a sexually transmitted disease. For this reason it seemed possible that the organisms might cause ascending inflammatory reactions of the prostate. Quantitative determinations of ureaplasmas and Mycoplasma hominis, together with localization studies, were therefore performed to elucidate the importance of these microorganisms in patients with chronic prostatitis. U. urealyticum was found in high numbers in expressed prostatic secretions and urine voided after prostatic massage from 82 (13.7%) of 597 patients with chronic prostatitis. Because numbers of ureaplasmas in first-voided urine and midstream urine were significantly lower, the source of the organisms in these patients was assumed to be the prostate. These data and the results of tetracycline treatment provide sufficient evidence for the etiologic importance of ureaplasmas in chronic prostatitis.
Insights
Ureaplasma urealyticum is a key cause of nongonococcal urethritis. This study found high levels of Ureaplasma urealyticum in prostate secretions of men with chronic prostatitis, suggesting it plays a role in this condition.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Microbiology
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
Background:
- Ureaplasma urealyticum is an established cause of nongonococcal urethritis.
- The potential role of Ureaplasma urealyticum in chronic prostatitis has not been fully elucidated.
- Ascending inflammatory reactions of the prostate are a possible consequence of urethritis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the significance of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in patients diagnosed with chronic prostatitis.
- To investigate the prostate as a potential reservoir for Ureaplasma urealyticum in chronic prostatitis.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of ureaplasmas and Mycoplasma hominis in patient samples.
- Localization studies using expressed prostatic secretions and urine samples (pre- and post-prostatic massage).
- Evaluation of tetracycline treatment efficacy.
Main Results:
- Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected in high concentrations in the expressed prostatic secretions and post-massage urine of 13.7% of chronic prostatitis patients.
- Significantly lower concentrations of ureaplasmas were found in pre-massage urine samples, indicating the prostate as the source.
- Positive outcomes were observed with tetracycline treatment.
Conclusions:
- Ureaplasma urealyticum is etiologically important in a subset of patients with chronic prostatitis.
- The prostate appears to be a reservoir for Ureaplasma urealyticum in chronic prostatitis.
- These findings support the role of ureaplasmas in the pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis.