Clinical significance of infected prostate tissue in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Purpose: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis are the most common benign diseases of the prostate gland and over time affect a significant majority of men. We evaluated the relation between BPH and infection in prostatic tissue in men who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 63 consecutive patients diagnosed with BPH and scheduled for TURP. During the TURP, 1-2 g chips were collected after resection of the prostatic urethra, and specimens were transported to the laboratory in sterile saline. Homogenized specimens were incubated for 7 days. The patients were divided into 2 groups (group 1: culture positive, group 2: culture negative). We compared prostate volume, prostate calculi, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual urine, and ratio of the transitional zone prostate to total prostate (transitional zone ratio). Results: Mean age was 72 years and mean serum PSA was 4.36 ng/dl. Group 1 included 7 patients (11.1%) and group 2 included 57 patients (88.9%). There were no significant differences in prostate volume, prostate calculi, serum PSA, IPSS, Qmax, or post-void residual urine between groups, but the transitional zone ratio was higher in group 1 (45.4%) than in group 2 (30.3%) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: About 11% of the prostate tissue cultures showed bacterial growth. The transitional zone ratio was higher in patients with bacteria growth. Bacterial infection may be related to benign prostatic hyperplasia.