Detection of a local prostatic immune response to bacterial prostatitis.

Bacteria-specific antibody responses in expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) were investigated by use of an indirect immunoperoxidase method. Positive responses were observed in all 12 patients with acute bacterial prostatis due to gram-negative rods. However, in 41 patients with chromic prostatitis, antibody responses varied depending on the bacterial species; no positive responses were observed in cases resulting from gram-positive cocci.