title: The Immune Status of Patients with Inflammatory Diseases of the Male Reproductive System.
abstract: Immune disorders are very important in pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis. They lead to more prolonged illness and decrease the effect of traditional therapy. 32 healthy men and 51 patients with chronic prostatitis were examined. Combined immunodeficiency was revealed in all patients. T-, B cells count in venous blood decreased, while 0-cells increased. We suggest it is connected to the disturbance of maturation and the differentiation of precursor cells. According to the results of functional tests the early E-rosette-forming cells, the subpopulations of theophylline-sensitive and theophylline-resistant cells decreased. 50.98% of patients had theophylline test inversion. Serum IgG concentration was reduced, while IgA and IgM level were unchanged. It showed that this inflammatory process was not acute. The phagocyte disorders were not strongly marked, but oxygen-dependent destruction of antigen in phagocyte cells was depressed, according to the nitroblue tetrasolium reduction test. The value of the spontaneous nitroblue tetrasolium reduction test was higher compared with the value stimulated with zymosan in 61.54% of patients. In our opinion these alterations are not pathognomonic for disorders of the reproductive organs. They just reflect the immune response to a chronic local inflammatory process. The revealed dysfunctions of the immune system, together with the results of routine examination of the patients with chronic prostatitis, are found to be reasonable. Based on these figures immune system correction therapy should be included in complex treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases of the male reproductive tract.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Science, Perm, Russia.
authors.forename: Konstantin R.
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Galkovich