The detection of a local prostatic immunologic response to bacterial prostatitis.

Although local antibody responses at bronchial, pulmonary and intestinal surfaces have been studied previously a similar response from the prostatic surface has never been described. This investigation demonstrates a distinct local antibody response in the prostatic fluid of 2 patients with bacterial prostatitis. Levels of antigen-specific and total non-specific immunoglobulins A and G were measured at intervals during and following infection for at least 2 years. These studies show that local prostatic immunologic responses are independent of serum responses and specific for the infecting organism. Furthermore, local secretory immunoglobulin A is the predominant immunoglobulin involved in the response to prostatic infection. Serum antigen-specific antibody and total serum or prostatic fluid immunoglobulin measurements are in adequate reflections of the prostatic immune response.