Prostatitis refers to inflammation of the prostate. According to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease, there are four types of prostatitis: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic prostatitis/chronic pain syndrome and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. Of the four, bacterial prostatitis is not as common, states the "Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy." There are two types of bacterial prostatitis: acute bacterial prostatitis and chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Acute bacterial prostatitis
Referring to an inflammation of the prostate, "Smith's General Urology," notes that acute infection of the prostate is caused by organisms that may cause urinary tract infections like E.coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. E. coli infection is commonly seen suddenly, or it may be seen after urethritis and epididymitis. According to "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment," enterococcal bacterial infections are not seen as frequently as Proteus or Pseudomonas. Chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomonas, organisms that cause sexually transmitted diseases, may cause acute bacterial prostatitis. Prostatitis is believed to be caused when organisms move toward the prostate from the urethra when infected urine enters the prostatic ducts. It frequently affects adult men. Prostatitis may also occur when the prostate is damaged, as through surgery; when a catheter is passed into the urethra; or when the prostate is infected from organisms in the bloodstream. Additionally, acute prostatitis may be seen after trauma to the prostate or urethra, after anal intercourse, and after placement of an indwelling catheter. It may occur spontaneously, especially in young men, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine."
Risk Factors for Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
Men who engage in anal or rectal intercourse have a high risk of prostatitis. Men over 50 with enlarged prostates are also at an increased risk for prostatitis.
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
According to Johns Hopkins Point of Information Center ABX Guide and "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," chronic bacterial prostatitis is caused by E. coli, a bacteria that lives in the digestive system, other bacteria in the E. coli family, organisms such as Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella, Proteus, or other uropathogenic bacteria and rarely, fungi and viruses. Compared to acute prostatitis, the onset is slow as a result of recurring urinary tract infections. The bacteria in the prostatic fluid thrive despite antibiotic treatment. In chronic bacterial prostatitis, men not uncommonly have urethritis or epidydimitis, as well as urinary tract infections.
References
- Prostatitis-Acute bacterial-Medline
- Acute Infective Prostatitis
- Chronic Prostatitis
- "The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 18th Ed."; 2006
- "Smith's General Urology, 17th Ed."; 2008
