Pathogenesis of chronic bacterial prostatitis in an animal model.

A reproducible rat model of chronic bacterial prostatitis was developed using a defined bacterial pathogen (Escherichia coli) to study the pathogenesis and persistence of chronic bacterial prostatitis. The progression of inflammation and its consequences from acute to chronic prostatitis were documented with microbiological, histological, ultrastructural and immunological data. Chronic bacterial prostatitis in this model was associated with sparse glycocalix-enclosed protected bacterial microcolonies within the prostatic acini and ducts which appeared to stimulate a persistent local and systemic immunological reaction resulting in chronic inflammation of the gland. This model has many striking similarities to the natural history of human chronic bacterial prostatitis.