The Detection of a Local Prostatic Immunologic Response to Bacterial Prostatitis

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Abstract
Although local antibody responses at bronchial, pulmonary and intestinal surfaces were studied previously, a similar response from the prostatic surface was never described. A distinct local antibody response in the prostatic fluid of 2 patients with bacterial prostatitis was demonstrated. Levels of antigen-specific and total non-specific IgA and G were measured at intervals during and following infection for at least 2 yr. Local prostatic immunologic responses are evidently independent of serum responses and specific for the infecting organism. Local secretory IgA is the predominant Ig involved in the response to prostatic infection. Serum antigen-specific antibody and total serum, or prostatic fluid Ig measurements are inadequate reflections of the prostatic immune response.