title: An immunohistological study of granulomatous prostatitis.
abstract: Granulomatous prostatitis may result from tuberculosis and fungal infection and has been described following prostatic surgery. In most cases, however, the aetiology is unknown, although it may be due to a reaction to extravasated or altered prostatic secretions. We have investigated cells (macrophages, lymphocytes), serum proteins (fibrinogen, alpha 1-antitrypsin) and prostatic epithelial products (prostatic-specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase) in diffuse granulomatous prostatitis (3 cases), focal periacinar prostatic granulomas (9) and focal prostatic infarcts (5), using an immunohistological technique. T-lymphocytes and macrophages are present in diffuse and focal granulomatous prostatitis, but few B-lymphocytes occur. Fibrinogen-related antigen is absent from granulomas, but a small amount is present within infarcts, whereas plentiful alpha 1-antitrypsin was detected both in granulomas and infarcts. Significant reduction in prostatic-specific antigen and acid phosphatase reactivity occurs in granulomatous prostatitis. This suggests that cytokines derived from activated macrophages and T-lymphocytes may be exerting a cell regulatory effect and altering cell secretions, as well as causing destruction of the prostatic epithelium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dhundee
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Maciver
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006099:Granuloma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D005340:Fibrinogen; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen