The detection of a local prostatic immunologic response to bacterial prostatitis.
Although local antibody responses at bronchial, pulmonary and intestinal surfaces have been studied previously a similar response from the prostatic surface has never been described. This investigation demonstrates a distinct local antibody response in the prostatic fluid of 2 patients with bacterial prostatitis. Levels of antigen-specific and total non-specific immunoglobulins A and G were measured at intervals during and following infection for at least 2 years. These studies show that local prostatic immunologic responses are independent of serum responses and specific for the infecting organism. Furthermore, local secretory immunoglobulin A is the predominant immunoglobulin involved in the response to prostatic infection. Serum antigen-specific antibody and total serum or prostatic fluid immunoglobulin measurements are in adequate reflections of the prostatic immune response.
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000276:immunology*; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G