The presence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in men with chronic prostatitis

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.) DNA in the prostate material in the group of individuals with the chronic prostatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 65 males aged between 47 and 68 years of age, reporting for transrectal prostate biopsy because of the elevated serum prostate-specific antigen concentration and/or abnormalities detected in prostate palpation per rectum. The urethral smear collection was performed in all the patients in order to detect C.t. DNA. After that, the transrectal prostate biopsy was performed (histopathology tests, C.t. DNA). Additionally, the levels of anti-C.t. IgG antibodies and anti-C.t. IgA antibodies were checked in the serum. The DNA isolation from prostate specimens was conducted with the use of the Chelex method, while the C.t. DNA detection – with the ligase chain reaction. Specific antibodies were detected with the use of the ELISA method. RESULTS: C.t. DNA in the prostate gland was found in 7 out of 65 men (10.8%). In urethral smear, C.t. was found in none of the individuals. Anti-C.t. IgA antibodies were detected in the serum of 16/65 (24.6%), while anti-C.t. IgG antibodies in 6/65 (9.2%) of the examined males. IgA antibodies were found in two and IgG in one out of the 7 men who had C.t. infection in the prostate. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of C.t. DNA in the prostate gland may be indicative of the role of chlamydia in the development of chronic prostatitis.