[The changes of serum gamma-Sm level in acute prostatitis].

gamma-Sm, the specific antigen of the prostate, is useful for the diagnosis and following-up of prostatic cancer. It is recognized as the tumor marker. The serum gamma-Sm is increased in some cases of acute prostatitis. We evaluated the serum gamma-Sm in patients with acute prostatitis. Serum gamma-Sm, PAP, CRP and WBC count were measured before treatment with antibiotics and 3 to 5 days and 1 week thereafter. In the acute phase of inflammation (before treatment) serum gamma-Sm increased in 62.5% of the cases. Then it decreased quickly and was within the normal range 3 to 5 days later. This change of serum gamma-Sm is similar to that of WBC count, fever and urinalysis. But the decrease of serum gamma-Sm is earlier than that of CRP. PAP does not increase in any phase of inflammation. It suggests that the serum gamma-Sm reflects cell damages of the prostatic gland or increased permeability due to prostatitis.