[Value of prostatic massage for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in the male urethra]

The aim of this work was to evaluate prostatic massage (PM) as diagnostic method of chronic chlamydial infection (possible etiologic agent of male infertility or chronic prostatitis). 105 men were examined. One urethral swabbing and one urine sampling are done before PM. After PM, prostatic fluid is collected spontaneously and in a minimum volume of urine. Chlamydial isolation samples are treated by 3 methods: culture on HeLa 229 cells, immunoenzymology and direct immunofluorescence. Of 107 samplings, 22 were positive. In 13 patients (14 samplings) the result was positive by PM alone. In those cases, prostatic massage was the only way to establish the Chlamydial infection, when urethral swabbing, usual method, is negative. If confirmed, the interest of prostatic massage rests on detection of unknown genital Chlamydial infection, and this, by a non surgical method.