Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory Effects of a Probiotics and Natural Extract-Based Formulation in Bacterial-Induced Prostatitis

Among the many factors inducing prostate inflammation, bacterial contribution is potentially underrated according to the scientific community. Bacterial prostatitis is characterized by modifications of the prostatic microenvironment, mainly driven by the immune system. Macrophages play a major role in bacterial prostatitis, secreting a plethora of proinflammatory and chemoattractive cytokines and proteolytic enzymes able to degrade the ECM, so facilitating the invasion of other immune cells. Consequently, macrophages represent a link between bacterial infection and prostate inflammation, as well as being the main target of prostate anti-inflammatory drugs and dietary supplements. This study aims to investigate the effect of a formulation composed of active principles and a probiotic strain with a particular focus on the anti-inflammatory effect in an in vitro bacterial prostatitis model. The results obtained showed that the formulation reduces the inflammatory response of prostatic epithelium induced by bacterial infection. This effect is mediated by the modulation of activated macrophages. Analysis of the cytokines released highlights that the tested formulation is able to reduce the expression of key proinflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of prostate diseases, in particular prostate cancer, and represents a valuable tool to prevent bacterial prostatitis and ensure favorable prostate health.

Diagnostic cytokine marker of male infertility - interleukin 4

Analysis of the study is to assess the diagnostic significance of cytokines in the sperm plasma of men of reproductive age (20 - 45 years) of two groups: of patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis, not complicated by infertility and with loss of fertility. The study of sperm plasma - the WHO standard. Determination of the level of cytokines in seminal plasma - by enzyme immunoassay («Cytokine», Russia). Two methods of mathematical statistics were used: discriminant analysis and classification trees (decision trees).The similarity of interpretations of discriminant analysis and decision tree was noted, where the main role in both cases belongs to the cytokine IL-4. The level of sperm IL-4 in combination with therapeutic monitoring can be used for the medical management of patients with chronic prostatitis in order to prevent the development of infertility and to develop methods for screening diagnostics of fertility disorders in men.

Spectrum of Causative Pathogens and Resistance Rates to Antibacterial Agents in Bacterial Prostatitis

Objective: To evaluate spectrum and resistance rates to antibacterial agents in causative pathogens of bacterial prostatitis in patients from Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Materials: 1027 isolates from cultures of urine or expressed prostatic secretion, post-massage urine or seminal fluid, or urethral samples were considered. Results: Escherichia coli (32%) and Enterococcus spp. (21%) were the most common isolates. Other Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and atypical pathogens accounted for 22%, 20%, and 5%, respectively. Resistance was <15% for piperacillin/tazobactam and carbapenems (both Gram-negative and -positive pathogens); <5% for glycopeptides against Gram-positive; 7%, 14%, and 20% for aminoglycosides, fosfomycin, and macrolides against Gram-negative pathogens, respectively; 10% for amoxicillin/clavulanate against Gram-positive pathogens; <20% for cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones against to Gram-negative pathogens (higher against Gram-positive pathogens); none for macrolides against atypical pathogens, but 20% and 27% for fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines. In West Africa, the resistance rates were generally higher, although the highest rates for ampicillin, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones were observed in the Gulf area. Lower rates were observed in Southeastern Europe. Conclusions: Resistance to antibiotics is a health problem requiring local health authorities to combat this phenomenon. Knowledge of the spectrum of pathogens and antibiotic resistance rates is crucial to assess local guidelines for the treatment of prostatitis.

Prostatic Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Ampicillin-Sulbactam for Bacterial Prostatitis and Preoperative Prophylaxis

This study aims to define the penetration of ampicillin and sulbactam into prostate tissue, develop a prostatic pharmacokinetic model of each drug, and assess the appropriateness of ampicillin-sulbactam regimens for the treatment of prostatitis and the prophylaxis of postoperative infection, based on a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic simulation. Subjects were prostatic hyperplasia patients prophylactically receiving a 0.5-hour infusion of 1.5 g (1:0.5 g) or 3 g (2:1 g) ampicillin-sulbactam before transurethral resection of the prostate. Ampicillin and sulbactam concentrations in plasma and prostate tissue were measured. The prostate tissue/plasma ratios of both ampicillin and sulbactam were approximately 0.37 (area under the drug concentration-time curve), and penetration was similar. The prostatic population pharmacokinetic model, which included a covariate analysis, adequately predicted prostate tissue concentrations in our patient population. For therapeutic use, aiming for a bactericidal target of 50% of time above minimum inhibitory concentration (T > MIC) in prostate tissue, 3 g ampicillin-sulbactam 4 times daily achieved ≥90% expected probability against only Enterococcus faecalis in typical patients with a creatinine clearance (CL_cr ) of 30 mL/min. For prophylactic use, aiming for a bacteriostatic target of 30% T > MIC, 3 g ampicillin-sulbactam 4 times daily achieved ≥90% expected probability of attaining the bacteriostatic target against E. faecalis and Proteus species when CL_cr was 30 mL/min. Based on prostatic simulations, the present study provides helpful recommendations for the treatment of bacterial prostatitis and preoperative prophylaxis in prostatectomy.

[Are bacteriological and pathomorphological signs of bacterial prostatitis related between? (An experimental study)]

INTRODUCTION

In some cases, there is a dissociation between the severity of complaints, physical examination data, and levels of contamination of the biomaterial in the differential diagnosis of various categories of prostatitis (NIH-NIDDK, 1995). Patients note the presence of pronounced symptoms when verifying the threshold indicators of microbial load (104-105 CFU / ml) of prostate secretion or post-massage urine in a few observations. However, clinical manifestations and deviations in objective indicators are not so significant in some patients with higher titers of contamination.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the relationship between the microbial load indices and the degree of pathomorphological changes in the prostate tissue during infection with the "reference" uropathogen E. coli in various titers under experimental conditions MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animal model was carried out using the FELASA protocols. Experimental individuals: 16 "New Zealand" rabbits, weight: 3580 [3480; 3695] (3300-4410), age: 25 [24; 26] (23-28) weeks. Uropathogen used: E. coli. Titers: 103 CFU / ml, 105 CFU / ml, 107 CFU / ml. Infection pathway: inoculation of the uropathogen was performed through urethra according to the modified technique of J.C. Nickel. Randomization: all lab animals were evenly divided into 4 groups of 4 animals, taking into account the initial titer of the uropathogen and the observation period - experimental groups 1 (103 CFU / ml), 2 (105 CFU / ml), 3 (107 CFU / ml); group 4 was control (Sol.NaCl 0.9%). Observation terms: 1, 3, 7 and 14 days, after which the animals were euthanized and dissected. 4 biopsies (1A-1D) for bacteriological (MacConkey agar - "HiMedia", India) and 2 biopsies (P1-P2) for morphological (Hematoxylin-eosin - "BlikMediklProduction", Russia; magn. 10x, 40x, 100x, 400x) studies were formed from various parts of the prostatic complex (prostate + proprostate + paraprostate). A three-point grading system was used for morphometric assessment of destructive changes in the prostate tissue in different groups. Analytical processing of the results was carried out using the software packages Microsoft 365 ("Microsoft", USA) and Statistica 10.2 ("StatSoft Inc.", USA) by methods of descriptive and nonparametric statistics.

RESULTS

The maximum total absolute / median values of the seeding of biopsy specimens of the prostatic complex were revealed ( titer, 1A-1D) in group 1 and amounted to 76 lg CFU / ml / 5.00 [4.00; 5.25] lgCFU / ml, in group 2 defined as intermediate - 57 lgCFU / ml / 3.50 [3.00; 4.00] lgCFU / ml, and in group 3 were minimal - 48 lgCFU / ml / 3.00 [3.00; 3.25] lg CFU / ml according to the indicators of bacteriological research in the period from 1 to 14 days. Nevertheless, it was found that the cumulative maximum degree of histological changes in the prostate was recorded in group 2 ( p. - 84), in group 1 it was defined as intermediate ( p. - 68), and in group 3, it was the smallest ( p. - 64) according to the data of pathomorphological studies. When comparing daily changes in the seeding values and nominal indicators of inflammatory lesions in the prostate tissue, only in group 1, the trend graphs had a synchronous trend - an increase in microbial load led to the formation of more severe pathomorphological transformations on the day 7; in group 2, destructive changes were significant, and the rates of contamination, on the contrary, were minimal on the day 7; in group 3 a pronounced pathomorphological transformations in the tissues were noted on the day 3 and 7, but the microbial load of the tissues gradually decreased from the day 1. Also, differences in the increase in the "reactivity" of changes in the affected tissues were determined: in groups 1 and 3, a torpid reaction was revealed, accompanied by the development of moderate inflammatory changes on the day 1 and an "abrupt" increase in the intensity of destruction by the day 3; in group 2, in turn, a rapid reaction was determined, that characterized by the formation of a more pronounced destructive process already from the day 1.

CONCLUSION

It was found that the parameters of contamination do not fully reflect the nature and severity of pathological changes in the prostate. Low titers of the uropathogen induce the development of an inflammatory process comparable in the severity of changes with that at higher concentrations. On the contrary, inoculation of obligate pathogenic titers does not always lead to a pronounced increase in microbial load but causes significant inflammatory changes in the prostate.

[Characterization of the microbiota and cytokine profile of sperm plasma in men with chronic bacterial prostatitis]

BACKGROUND

One of the leading causes of the occurrence of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) in men is infection, microecological disorders of the urogenital tract and cytokine-mediated mechanisms of inflammation of the prostate gland, which actualizes a comprehensive study of the clinical and bacteriological features of CBP from the perspective of a symbiotic approach in the framework of a new scientific field - "infectious symbiology".

OBJECTIVE

to study the characteristics of spermogram, microbiota, and the cytokine profile in men with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) and CBP complicated by infertility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive study of patients with CBP and CBP complicated by infertility, in comparison with conditionally healthy individuals, was conducted. Species identification of microorganisms was carried out according to biochemical characteristics and the genetic method (sequencing of strains). The biological properties of the microbiota were evaluated: growth properties, biofilm formation, antipeptide activity against the cytokines IL-10, RAIL-1, TNF-, INF- and IL-17 (8 parameters). Immunological parameters of sperm plasma included 13 parameters: the content of cytokines TNF-, INF-, Rail, interleukins (IL) -1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 17, immunoglobulin (Ig) A, lactoferrin and lysozyme. To evaluate sperm plasma, the following quantities were determined: ejaculate volume, pH, sperm plasma liquefaction, total sperm count, sperm count per 1 ml, motility, number of progressively motile, non-progressive motile and motionless spermatozoa, number of round cells, white blood cells, spermatogenesis cells, erythrocytes, erythrocytes, cells, sperm agglutination and aggregation (16 parameters in total). The results are statistically processed.

RESULTS

Data were obtained on changes in biofilm formation, antipeptide activity of microbiota (especially pronounced in corynebacteria), sperm plasma cytokine profile (increased TNF , IL-2, 6, 17), as well as IgA and lactoferrin, which can be used to build a prognostic model of reproductive pathology tract of men and their fertile activity.

CONCLUSION

The study of the antipeptide activity of microbiota in combination with the cytokine profile of ejaculate allows us to recommend them as a "biotarget" for diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic measures for chronic prostatitis in men, which contribute to solving the medical and social problem of preventing male infertility and contributes to the development of health-saving technologies with incorporating elements of personalized medicine.

Pharmacological Interventions for Bacterial Prostatitis

Prostatitis is a common urinary tract condition but bring innumerable trouble to clinicians in treatment, as well as great financial burden to patients and the society. Bacterial prostatitis (acute bacterial prostatitis plus chronic bacterial prostatitis) accounting for approximately 20% among all prostatitis have made the urological clinics complain about the genital and urinary systems all over the world. The international challenges of antibacterial treatment (emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria, bacterial biofilms production and the shift in bacterial etiology) and the transformation of therapeutic strategy for classic therapy have attracted worldwide attention. To the best of our knowledge currently, there is not a single comprehensive review, which can completely elaborate these important topics and the corresponding treatment strategy in an effective way. This review summarizes the general treatment choices for bacterial prostatitis also provides the alternative pharmacological therapies for those patients resistant or intolerant to general treatment.

[Prostatic secretion microbiota: a comparative analysis of the hronical prostatitis II and IIIA category]

BACKGROUND

Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome IIIa (CP/CPPS IIIa) are separate nosologies defined diagnostic verification criteria according to the NIH-NIDDK classification (1995). The identification of enterobacteria in the prostatic secretion (PS) has long been a criterion for the diagnosis of CBP, while PS in patients suffering CP/CPPS IIIa was considered as "sterile". However, the introduction of various methods of PS`s in-depth analysis and UPOINTS classification (2010) development with the allocation of site I (infection) allows us to consider the infectious factor as an etiological predictor of the initiation of inflammation in the prostate with CP/CPPS IIIa. Thus, the determination of the features of the taxonomic composition of microbiota in BP and CP/CPPS IIIa can act as a differentiating factor of these conditions.

AIMS

/Objective: performing a comparative analysis of the PS microbiota in patients suffering from CBP and CP/CPPS IIIa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Feature: full-scale, prospective, comparative, uncontrolled study. During the study, a staged PS`s bacteriological study was performed in 101 patients (aged 20-60 years) with prostatitis-like symptoms lasting more than 3 months and identified leukocytosis in PS (> 10x`). Stage I of the PS`s study: a standard nutrient medium and culturing conditions were used. Two comparison groups were formed according to the results of the initial bacteriological study: 49 patients were included in group 1 (CBP), in which E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp. were identified in PS (causative uropathogens in CBP), in group 2 (CP/CPPS IIIa) included 52 patients, with no growth of the above microorganisms` taxa in the biomaterial and/or primary negative results of the study. Stage II of the PS`s study: an extended set of selective media and special cultivation conditions were used for accessory verification of bacteria in biomaterial. Biochemical identification of bacteria was carried out using test systems. Statistical processing of seeding rates was carried out using Statistica 10.2 package (StatSoft Inc., USA). In both groups, we used descriptive statistics methods and the Mann-Whitney U test to process the results of bacteriological studies. The significance of differences between the studied parameters was considered at the level of p<0.05 and p<0.01.

RESULTS

Usage of an expanded set of selective media and special cultivation conditions (as compared with the results of the primary bacteriological culture of the exprimate) made it possible to collectively verify in PS to 28 species / genera of microorganisms in both groups (25 in group 1 and 24 in group 2). The taxonomic composition of the PS`s microbiota was almost identical in both groups and presented mainly in the form of multicomponent microbial associations. According to the results of analysis of the bacteria`s identification frequency in PS, it was found that in group 2 (CP/CPPS IIIa) significantly more often than in group 1 (CBP) discovered some representatives of the non-clostridial anaerobic flora (NAB: Peptococcus sp., Propionibacterium spp. and others), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS: S.haemolyticus, S.warneri) and certain taxa of gram-positive microorganisms (Corynebacterium spp. and Str. agalacticae). In turn, when analyzing the PS contamination, it was found that integrally in group 1 (CBP) in the samples of the biomaterial a higher titer of microorganisms was determined with a wide range of quantitative values, in relation to group 2 (CP/CPPS IIIa), where the titer indices were somewhat lower and had a smaller variation relative to the average.

CONCLUSION

Identification in patients of both groups in PS of different mixed microbial associations, similar in the taxonomic spectral composition of microbiota, suggests that CP/CPPS IIIa in some cases is unverified CBP, which in turn necessitates a review of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to achieve positive clinical result.

[Experimental evaluation of inflammatory process in the prostate caused by transurethral transmission of uropathogen in low counts]

BACKGROUND

According to the literature, bacterial count of uropathogens isolated from expressed prostate secretion and urine which is sufficient for a diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis I and II categories, remains contradictory. Undoubtedly, the identification of microorganisms from affected organ in high titers indicates the presence of a relevant infectious-inflammatory process. In turn, there is no consensus on the development of bacterial prostatitis at lower titers of uropathogens. Thus, the aim of our study was to identify and compare the potential features of the development and occurrence of an infectious inflammatory process in the prostate during the reproduction of bacterial prostatitis in an animal model using a low titer of causative uropathogens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 16 "New Zealand" mature male rabbits aged 24+/-2 weeks old with weight of 3.5+/-0.3 kg were examined. Inoculation was performed via transurethral route, according to the developed experimental technique. E. coli was used as bacterial agent with a count of 1 x 103 CFU/ml, 1 x 105 CFU/ml and 1 x 107 CFU/ml. All animals were randomized into 4 groups of 4 individuals depending on the titer of the inoculated microorganisms (groups 1-3, respectively), group 4 - control (with inoculation by Sol. NaCl 0.9%). Sacrification and vivisection were performed on days 1, 3, 7 and 14 of the control days. Biopsy specimens from the lower urinary tract and internal genital organs of laboratory animals (bladder, urethra, prostatic complex - 6 biopsies #1A-1D, 2A, 2B) were evaluated morphologically and bacteriologically. Analytical evaluation of the experimental data was presented using descriptive statistical methods.

RESULTS

In experimental groups (Groups 1-3), bacteriological examination of prostatic complex biopsies showed growth of microflora in all samples in titers of 101-107 CFU / ml. In group 1, the maximum concentration of uropathogen was observed on day 7, compared to day 1 in both groups 2 and 3. In all observed cases, the highest degree of bacterial contamination was noted in the biopsy specimens from paraprostatic tissues and distal part of the prostate, which was 4.0+/-1.7 lg CFU/ml and 3.5+/-1.9 lg CFU/ml, respectively, and the smallest in proximal prostatic loci (1C) and bladder neck (2B) - 3.0+/-1.2 lg COE / ml and 3.0+/-1.7 lg COE / ml, respectively. According to the morphological study, a relevant progression of the suppurative and destructive inflammation (with foci of colliquation necrosis) was identified in group 1 in the biopsies from the prostate with a maximum degree of changes on day 7 with subsequent formation of loose connective tissue proliferation areas by 14 days. This indicates the conversion of the inflammatory process to the chronic stage. These changes corresponded with the results of histopathological studies in groups 2 and 3 where higher titers of bacterial agent were used. In group 4 (control) the commensal flora was bacteriologically determined in the biopsies, but there were no signs of inflammation, according to the results of the morphological study.

CONCLUSION

In experimental model, we found that E. coli 103 CFU / ml induces the development of a phasic inflammatory process in the structures of the prostatic complex. These processes resulted in the formation of irreversible proliferative changes. As a consequence, it shold be recommended to consider these signs of contamination when evaluating the results of bacteriological examination of expressed prostate secretion/urine samples during planning treatment strategy.

[Bacterial prostatitis: epidemiology and etiology]

Prostatitis is considered as heterogeneous group of the diseases attracting broad interest of researchers worldwide. The acute and chronic stages of the process, as particular categories of bacterial prostatitis, remain in the realities of modern practical and scientific urology with lively discussions. Despite a large number of domestic and international publications, consensus on many topical issues of bacterial prostatitis is currently not achieved. The true incidence and prevalence of bacterial prostatitis in various regions of the world has not been finally determined. The exhaustive data concerning the etiological structure, mechanisms of development and persistence of the inflammatory process in the prostate tissue are not presented. At the same time, new risk factors that can influence the development and progress of these diseases are identified and discussed. Researchers review algorithms for examining patients, obligate spectrum of diagnostic methods, as well as the desirability of using the newest investment means necessary for the successful verification of the diagnosis taking into account the development of modern medical technologies. This review describes in detail the various aspects of the epidemiology and etiology of bacterial prostatitis, based on an analysis of major literature sources in conjunction with its own scientific facts.

Inefficient N2-Like Neutrophils Are Promoted by Androgens During Infection

Neutrophils are major effectors of acute inflammation against infection and tissue damage, with ability to adapt their phenotype according to the microenvironment. Although sex hormones regulate adaptive immune cells, which explains sex differences in immunity and infection, little information is available about the effects of androgens on neutrophils. We therefore aimed to examine neutrophil recruitment and plasticity in androgen–dependent and –independent sites under androgen manipulation. By using a bacterial model of prostate inflammation, we showed that neutrophil recruitment was higher in testosterone-treated rats, with neutrophil accumulation being positively correlated to serum levels of testosterone and associated to stronger inflammatory signs and tissue damage. Testosterone also promoted LPS-induced neutrophil recruitment to the prostate, peritoneum, and liver sinusoids, as revealed by histopathology, flow cytometry, and intravital microscopy. Strikingly, neutrophils in presence of testosterone exhibited an impaired bactericidal ability and a reduced myeloperoxidase activity. This inefficient cellular profile was accompanied by high expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL10 and TGFβ1, which is compatible with the “N2-like” neutrophil phenotype previously reported in the tumor microenvironment. These data reveal an intriguing role for testosterone promoting inefficient, anti-inflammatory neutrophils that prolong bacterial inflammation, generating a pathogenic environment for several conditions. However, these immunomodulatory properties might be beneficially exploited in autoimmune and other non-bacterial diseases.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS - RADIOGRAPHY, ULTRASONOGRAPHY, AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF A GIANT FECALOMA CAUSING STERCORAL PERFORATION OF THE COLON IN A DOG WITH A PROSTATIC ABSCESS

A mixed-breed dog presented with tenesmus, hematochezia, and abdominal distension of 2 weeks duration. Radiography showed a large round mass with a "soap-bubble" appearance and shell-like mineralization in the caudal abdomen. Computed tomography revealed a lamellate mineralized mass 8 cm in diameter and containing air in the descending colon and prostatic abscess. Heterogeneously contrast-enhanced, irregularly thickened colonic wall with intramural and peritoneal free gas indicated stercoral colonic perforation. Surgical intervention revealed a tumor-like giant fecaloma in the descending colon adjoining the prostate with extensive wall rupture and fecal peritonitis. Hypothetically, prostatic inflammation may affect colonic motility with resultant fecaloma formation.