Chlamydia trachomatis in 'abacterial' prostatitis: microbiological, cytological and serological studies.

Chlamydia trachomatis was isolated from urethral swabs after prostatic massage in patients with 'abacterial' prostatitis. After exclusion of prostatic infections by gram-negative bacteria, enterococci and ureaplasmas, in 20 of 43 patients with apparent monoinfection by C. trachomatis, a leucocytal reaction was demonstrated in prostatic secretions. By microimmunofluorescence test, antibody titers greater than or equal to 1:8 against various types of C. trachomatis were detected in these patients, whereas serology was negative in chlamydia-positive patients without increased leucocyte counts (prostatodynia).