Do antibody-coated bacteria prove bacterial prostatitis?

ABSTRACT

Using the immunofluorescence technique in 187 patients with bacteriologically proven prostatitis according to the Meares-Stamey test demonstrated a significant amount of antibody-coated bacteria (ACB) in their ejaculates. The ACB test was useful to discriminate between chronic bacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia with a sensitivity of 65% and a specifity of 92%; likewise the ACB test is superior to complement and coeruloplasmin estimation in the ejaculate by radial immunodiffusion usually recommended for the differential diagnosis of inflammatory and psychosomatic diseases of the prostate.