Herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and papillomavirus DNA are not found in patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome undergoing radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To study the possible involvement of viruses in chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) using polymerase chain reaction. Among other factors, the involvement of viruses in CPPS has been speculated, but few studies have investigated this.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with localized prostate cancer for whom radical prostatectomy was considered were evaluated for symptoms of CPPS using the National Institutes of Health Chronic-Prostatitis Symptom Index. Ten patients with moderate to severe symptoms and 10 without symptoms were included in the study. The presence of herpes simplex virus (types 1 and 2), cytomegalovirus, and human papillomavirus DNA was investigated by polymerase chain reaction in prostatic tissue samples obtained at radical prostatectomy.

RESULTS

All the samples were negative for the viral sequences tested.

CONCLUSIONS

A viral etiology could not be demonstrated in CPPS. In addition, no association of the viruses with prostate cancer could be found.