Role of sexually-transmitted infections in the structural and functional reorganization of the prostate.

Intracellular reorganization of secretory epitheliocytes in the main, intermediate, and periurethral prostatic glands was studied in chronic prostatitis under conditions of sexually-transmitted infections. The destructive and autophagic processes in the secretory epitheliocytes were stimulated by persistence of microorganisms, Mycoplasmataceae (mainly mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas) and Chlamydia trachomatis, in the prostatic terminal compartments, epithelial layer, and epitheliocytes. Significant intracellular reorganization of smooth-muscle cells was found: focal destruction of ultrastructures (mainly in the perinuclear zone) and lythic changes in the myofilaments (focal and diffuse).