How to take tests for infections with prostatitis

Tests for acute and chronic prostatitis

Prostatitis is a male disease that too often goes unnoticed. Many patients do not pay attention to disturbing symptoms, or try to get rid of them with folk remedies. Due to the indifference of loved ones or his own shyness, a man can bring even a slight inflammation provoked by hypothermia to a chronic state.

Prostatitis is the most insidious male disease with indistinct, extensive symptoms. It is almost impossible to recognize it in the early stages without additional diagnostics, so the tests are very important. They are carried out in order to accurately diagnose the disease, determine its stage and the severity of the symptoms of inflammation.

On the basis of clinical examinations, the most appropriate and effective method of treating the patient is also selected.

So, what tests are done for suspected prostatitis? What role do they play in the diagnosis and treatment of pathology?

Accurate diagnosis is the basis of effective treatment

It is known that the more accurately the diagnosis is established, the easier it is for the doctor to choose the necessary treatment for the patient. Examinations of the prostate and the tests themselves largely determine the drugs that will bring the effect in each case.

They also allow you to accurately determine the culprit contributing to the development of inflammation of the prostate gland, and choose the right treatment tactics.

What can tests say?

The study of the prostate implies a set of clinical procedures carried out in order to determine the general condition of the organ, the presence of inflammation in it, the main microorganism that caused its stage of tissue damage.

Clinical examinations also provide the attending physician with additional information about the patient's general health, the absence or presence of a tumor, viruses in the body, and the response of the immune system to them.

When should I get tested for prostatitis?

All patients presenting with complaints of unbearable pain in the groin area and difficulty in urination should immediately be tested for inflammation of the prostate. In most cases, men come with the acute phase of the disease.

Chronic prostatitis is less pronounced, and therefore often goes unnoticed.

Check if you can answer yes to the following questions:

• sometimes urination is accompanied by a burning unpleasant sensation;
• the stream of urine is interrupted, comes out unevenly and irregularly;
• Have you noticed strange whitish clots in your urine?
• You occasionally have a little difficulty urinating, but then they disappear;
• You often feel false urges, or notice that you have begun to go to the toilet more often;
• defecation is accompanied by difficulty or even pain;
• You suffer from sexual dysfunction;
• You either have difficulty ejaculating or ejaculate too quickly. Orgasm has become weak, sometimes uncomfortable;
• You can't sleep well at night due to frequent urges and/or prolonged erections;
• You have become nervous and irritable. Your relatives, friends and colleagues also notice it;
• You get tired much faster.

Even one affirmative answer is enough to start worrying about your health. It is necessary to undergo a study if prostatitis is suspected as soon as possible. Some forms of this disease are almost asymptomatic, manifesting themselves only in the most advanced stages. Early detection of the threat will protect you from unpleasant consequences, as well as reduce the risk of prostate adenoma.

Required Research

Contact specialists as soon as possible. Then you can go through all the stages of the examination and get the most accurate diagnosis.

Knowing what tests are taken if inflammation of the prostate is suspected, you can plan the time in advance and carry out all the necessary procedures faster.

To establish the cause of damage to prostate tissue, a comprehensive examination is carried out. The obtained indicators are compared, and on their basis the final diagnosis is made.

Common Methods

A blood test for prostatitis in men is of paramount importance, as is a urine test. These tests are performed in almost all infection checks. In case of detection of prostatitis in men, they help to establish the following factors:

• presence of infectious agents;
• abnormal behavior of bacteria;
• presence of primary signs of leukocytosis;
• the presence of protein secretions in the urine;
• The speed of erythrocyte movement.

These data are important for the rapid determination of the extent of the disease.They may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process, help characterize the intensity of inflammation and determine the extent of the lesion.

Examination of prostate secretions

This procedure should be completed as quickly as possible. It will take a little longer to get the results, but at the end you will know with almost one hundred percent probability whether you suffer from prostatitis or not.

Only patients who do not suffer from the acute phase of the disease will be able to pass the secret for verification. The material for research is released from the urethra by stimulating the prostate gland, which is strictly prohibited in the advanced stages of inflammation.

Some forms of chronic prostatitis can prevent secretion from leaving the body naturally. In this case, a portion of the material is excreted from the urine.

Deep examination of the secretion provides accurate information about the status of inflammation and the condition of prostate tissues. Combining the results with data from general methods allows you to establish an unmistakable diagnosis.

Ejaculate examination

The indicators obtained from the study of seminal fluid provide information similar to studies of prostate secretion. This is a mandatory examination for patients who are not able to isolate the secret for diagnosis.

Prostatitis is diagnosed by comparing the total number of leukocytes and suspicious neoplasms from single erythrocytes.

The general condition of the seminal fluid can also tell a lot about the course of prostatitis.

Particularly important features include:

• change in the acidity of the medium (the nature of the reaction becomes alkaline);
• decrease in sperm concentration;
• Significant amount of unfertilized spermatozoa.

MRI and computed tomography

These high-tech procedures can be performed by a patient at any stage of prostatitis. Research helps to study the course of the disease in detail and analyze the development of inflammation.

Magnetic resonance imaging is not used as an independent method, but it is extremely useful in clarifying the diagnosis and forming a complete picture of the disease. Knowing how the lesion developed, the doctor will be able to choose the most effective drugs.

Computed tomography practically does not differ in the spectrum of data obtained from MRI. Some patients cannot undergo magnetic resonance imaging for individual reasons. Computer screening is for everyone. In addition, it produces almost instant results that you can immediately work on.

Other additional diagnostic methods

Sometimes the doctor is not able to conduct classical studies to accurately determine the specifics of the disease. In such extreme conditions, the patient has to rely on the experience of a specialist.

The type and stage of prostatitis are determined in this case by a traditional manual examination. prostate massage, despite the "backwardness", allows you to establish many important signs of the disease (for example, an increase in the size of the prostate, pain when pressed, etc.).

If the patient has signs of acute prostatitis, such an examination is not performed. However, in most cases, men suffering from prostatitis are faced with an abundance of available analytical procedures. If an infection is suspected, appropriate studies are necessarily carried out: if the infectious agent is left unattended, then the disease will not be cured.

Many procedures make the work of the urologist easier, allowing the diagnosis to be made with maximum confidence.

Additional urine sampling studies can provide valuable information about a patient with an acute illness who is not able to pass "standard" tests.

Blood culture allows you to completely exclude the possibility of bacterial infection - or, conversely, isolate harmful bacteria.

Short transcript

Urine test results. Leukocytes in urine in men should normally be no more than 3. If ketone bodies are present, diabetes mellitus may develop. The presence of blood is also unacceptable.

For PCR diagnostics, erythrocytes should not be in the field of view. If there is even a small amount, then there was a prostate injury. Also, the presence of red blood cells indicates prostate cancer.

The results of the study of prostate juice. The number of leukocytes does not exceed 12. Erythrocytes and epithelium should be single. The remaining indicators should be absent.

When examining the ejaculate, leukocytes should be in large numbers, there is no mucus. Normally, the volume can be 2 ml. Normal spermatozoa in the amount of 50% of the total.

Ultrasound and TRUS look at the volume of the prostate gland. Assess its density. Seminal vesicles are normal up to 5 cm.

Useful video

Testing for prostatitis

Prostatitis is a dangerous disease in men, entailing many consequences if it is not detected in time. Diagnosing an ailment is not easy, especially when it does not manifest itself in the first stage. Therefore, tests for prostatitis are a key point in making a diagnosis. It is by the result of high-quality examinations that it is possible to determine the most effective method of treatment.

Accurate diagnosis - effective treatment

As you know, prostatitis in men can develop in various forms: acute, chronic and bacterial.

Diagnosing a disease in any form, especially chronic, requires a thorough examination and examination by a specialist with extensive experience. The thing is that this kind of disease can function without a single symptom, and a doctor can detect it when a patient contacts a completely different urological disease. First of all, the diagnosis of acute and chronic inflammation of the prostate involves interviewing the patient with specific questions about complaints and symptoms. Next, you need to examine a urine sample before and after prostate massage. It is important to distinguish prostatitis from other diseases with the help of tests.

An analysis of the prostate gland is a set of clinical studies that are carried out in order to determine the performance of a particular organ, the presence of an inflammatory process in it and the cause of the disease. Also, the results of basic tests will help the doctor determine the presence of viruses in the patient's body, his general health, and the functioning of the immune system.

Specialists recommend to be examined if the following symptoms appear:

• Impairment of the urination process.
• Unpleasant burning sensation in the urethra.
• Reduced sexual desire.
• Presence of bloody discharge or threads in the urine.
• Laxity and irritability.
• Quick end of sexual intercourse.
• Unpleasant sensations in the perineum.
• Frequent urge to urinate.

Even if you notice one of these symptoms, you should not hesitate to consult a urologist.

Basic tests for illness

Many men have a question, what tests should be taken for prostatitis? The most common are a general blood and urine test, urine culture, analysis of the secretion of the prostate and urethra, diagnostics at the molecular genetic level, CT or MRI. Less commonly, they take a blood test for PSA, a semen analysis, an ultrasound examination of the bladder, and a study of the prostate using transrectal sonography. Conducting recent studies is necessary in case of unsuccessful treatment, with the appearance of abscesses, if pathogenic microorganisms have not been completely destroyed, and more. Consider the main tests for prostatitis.

It is believed that prostate massage pursues infection in the blood, in such situations, the doctor may prescribe additional tests, namely:

• Symptoms have not disappeared even after effective treatment.
• An inflammatory process was found in the prostate gland.
• If men have complications and the doctor thinks it is related to prostatitis.

Among the additional analyzes are:

Preparing for the upcoming test

It is important to know that before each test, preparation is necessary, due to which the results of the examination will be accurate and reliable. To do this, you will have to follow simple rules:

• Drink more fluids.
• Keep your normal life.
• Approximately 8 hours before the start of the tests, exclude alcoholic beverages, coffee and juice from the diet.
• If you need to pass urine, you should conduct personal hygiene and collect the material in a clean container.
• If prostate secretion is given, abstain from sexual intercourse for a few days before beginning.

Undoubtedly, clinical studies and thorough diagnostics will allow each medical worker to establish an accurate diagnosis, find out the specific form of inflammation, and prescribe effective treatment in a timely manner. As for men, it is timely to contact the clinic for prevention.

Tests for prostatitis

What tests for prostatitis should be taken in the clinic, a detailed plan for examining the prostate gland and deciphering the results about this in this article.

Prostatitis is a disease that requires timely diagnosis. The sooner an accurate diagnosis is made, the more effective the treatment will be. The scheme of drug therapy is determined after additional examinations. In addition, they perform special analyzes that help to find out which factor provoked the development of the process.

Diagnosis of prostatitis begins with a consultation and examination by a specialist.The doctor listens to the patient's complaints, examines the anamnesis, and, if necessary, directs him to instrumental and laboratory tests. If there is a suspicion of acute or Chronic prostatitis, the patient must undergo a series of specific tests to help make the final diagnosis.

When should I take tests if prostatitis is suspected

If you find the following symptoms in yourself, then you need to conduct tests to refute or confirm the diagnosis of prostatitis:

- problems with urination (frequent urge, pain, urinary retention);

- burning in the perineum;

- pain during bowel movements;

- long night erections;

- high fatigue and psychological problems.

What tests are done for prostatitis in men

Prostatitis is a common problem that every man can face after 30-40 years. Therefore, it is desirable for all men to know what examinations are carried out if prostate inflammation is suspected.

Examination plan for prostatitis

1. General analysis of urine and blood.

2. Scraping from the urethra, analysis of the secretion of the prostate gland, semen and blood by PCR for all sexually transmitted infections (The essence of the method is to obtain the DNA of the pathogen and compare it with a database of all STIs, including HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C.) .

3. Culture of prostate secretion and determination of sensitivity to antibiotics.

4. Microscopic examination of the secret of the prostate.

5. Urine analysis for bacteriological culture.

6. Bacteriological examination of the ejaculate.

8. Plus more research.

But not in all cases it is possible to find the pathogen, that is, to make a diagnosis of bacterial chronic prostatitis, most often the pathogen cannot be detected. But, if the patient has symptoms, in this case we are talking about abacterial prostatitis, the treatment of which is based mainly on the suppression of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Let's take a closer look at what tests should be taken for prostatitis.

History taking for prostatitis

An andrologist or urologist asks the patient about previous chronic and acute diseases, operations on the genitourinary organs, what complaints he is concerned about, when he was last examined and if he underwent examination, what were the test results and the diagnosis.

Palpation and prostate massage

There are cases when there are no symptoms of an acute inflammatory process, but there are prerequisites for the onset of chronic prostatitis. In such situations, functional tests and palpation of the prostate gland are indicated.

The main test of manual examination is prostate massage. The state of the gland is judged based on the sensations that the massage causes. They also take into account the consistency of the organ and its possible increase in size.

In case of acute inflammation, prostate massage cannot be performed! In this case, it can cause severe pain. In addition, massage with acute inflammation can provoke the entry of pathogenic microbes into the blood. And this is very dangerous, because it can lead to such a formidable complication as sepsis.

Laboratory tests for prostatitis

Tests for sexually transmitted infections

Before taking smears, scrapings or cultures for sexually transmitted infections, you must not:

- 3 hours to urinate before taking the material;

- use disinfectants;

- the last sexual contact should be at least 36 hours before taking the material;

- use antibiotics or uroseptics inside.

Types of tests for infections in prostatitis

PCR scraping from the urethra for all sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, ureaplasma, gardnerella, mycoplasma, Trichomonas, gonococcus, Candida fungi, etc.)

Blood for infection by ELISA (IgA and IgM antibodies).

PCR diagnostics of prostate secretion, semen and morning urine.

Urine analysis for prostatitis in men

A urinalysis is mandatory. A urine culture may be done to identify pathogens. The typical causative agent is Escherichia coli. With catarrhal prostatitis in the general analysis of urine, obvious changes are not always observed. In advanced forms of the disease, after a manual test, purulent threads are noted in the urine that precipitate.

Blood test

A general blood test for prostatitis shows an increased number of leukocytes with a shift in the formula to the left, an increase in ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). These are typical signs that indicate that an inflammatory process is taking place in the body. By the height of these indicators, one can determine the nature of the course of the disease and its stage.

In some cases, inflammation of the prostate is allergic in nature. Therefore, they conduct a blood test for an allergic reaction. They also take blood from a vein for biochemical analysis.It is very important to determine the indicators of electrolytes (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine), especially with obstruction and urinary retention.

Prostate secretion analysis

The main tests that allow you to accurately diagnose, analysis of prostate secretion and bacteriological analysis of urine. These tests detect microbes such as: E. coli, staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus, etc.

Analysis of the secret involves a microscopic examination of the discharged gland. This method gives doctors the opportunity to find out if there are any unhealthy impurities in the secret, how the inflammatory process proceeds, and what condition the prostate is in.

A biochemical and cytological study of the secret is being carried out. In addition, seeding is carried out, which allows you to assess the sensitivity of pathogenic flora to antibiotics.

The study of the secret is indicated for chronic prostatitis. The acute form of the disease must be excluded before analysis. And the sampling procedure is as follows: the prostate is stimulated intrarectally, a secret is secreted from the urethra (normally viscous and transparent), which is collected on a glass slide. The resulting samples are examined under a microscope. Normally, after about 20 minutes, the material takes on the appearance of a fern. In the case of prostatitis, only fragments are visible under a microscope. If the massage did not lead to a secret, after stimulation it is necessary to collect urine for analysis. Together with urine, the accumulated secret is also excreted. This allows you to evaluate the necessary indicators by conducting a study of the urine itself. When the inflammation reaches the late stages and the process develops rapidly, obvious changes are revealed in the composition of the urine. To determine the pathogens that caused acute inflammation, urine culture is performed.

Microscopic examination of the secretion of the prostate pay attention to leukocytes, lecithin grains, erythrocytes, epithelial cells, macrophages. In a healthy man, the number of leukocytes in the secretion of the prostate should not exceed 5 in the field of view.

There are several ways to collect urine for analysis. At the same time, care must be taken to prevent infection from the environment from entering the urine. The first way is to collect material for analysis using a swab. It is applied to the opening of the urethra so that it absorbs some urine. Before the procedure, the skin is disinfected to prevent infection from entering the collected urine. Infection can greatly affect the results of the analysis, up to a complete change in the picture. In this case, the procedure will need to be carried out again.

A more reliable method is to collect urine using a urinary catheter. This eliminates the possibility of infection from the external environment. The material is collected under sterile conditions and the catheter itself must be sterile. Urine is placed in a sterile container and cultured on a nutrient medium. The results of the analysis become known in a few days. This time is necessary for the culture to grow and the type of pathogen to be determined.

PCR diagnostics are also carried out. This study involves the detection of latent infections in the urine. The test helps to identify the DNA of the pathogen. At the slightest hint of the presence of bacteria, the sample is positive. Such diagnostics helps to determine the type of inflammation and its degree.

Bacteriological analysis of seminal fluid

An alternative to prostate culture is semen culture. This study is resorted to if the sowing of the secret did not give accurate results, or when the secret could not be obtained in its pure form.

Laboratory examination of the ejaculate is also an accurate diagnostic method for inflammation of the prostate gland. The information content of the study is explained by the fact that seminal fluid passes through the prostate and contains its secret. In men suffering from prostatitis, a large number of leukocytes are detected in the seminal fluid. In addition, there are single erythrocytes. There are clots of weak or dead spermatozoa called agglutinins. Their formation is associated with disorders of the immune system and the process of sensitization, which triggers the pathogen.

In healthy men, the reaction of seminal fluid should be acidic. But under the influence of the inflammatory process, it becomes alkaline, which adversely affects the viability of germ cells. With prostatitis, up to 80% of sedentary or dead spermatozoa can be detected in semen.

In some cases, the analysis of seminal fluid reveals quantitative changes, i.e. the total number of spermatozoa decreases. This indicates the spread of inflammation to the testicles. If mutated sex cells appear, hormonal problems or genetic disorders can be suspected. With such a picture, a malignant process is not excluded. But it is impossible to say with absolute certainty that this is some stage of prostate cancer.

Urethral juice analysis

Another type of diagnosis is the analysis of urethral juice. The procedure is carried out using a probe with a swab.The resulting material is subjected to laboratory research. The analysis makes it possible to determine whether the inflammation has passed to the urethra.

The studies listed above are included in the list of basic analyses. When prostatitis is combined with other diseases, a number of additional studies will be required, which are aimed at identifying secondary pathology.

Methods of additional diagnostics of prostatitis

Additional examination methods include:

Ultrasound of the bladder. The fact is that infections in the urinary tract can lead to congestive prostatitis.

Computed tomography. This method makes it possible to obtain a detailed picture of the pelvic organs.

Transrectal sonography and transrectal ultrasound of the prostate (TrUS). This ultrasound method helps the doctor to see changes in the prostate using a rectal sensor, allows you to assess the condition of the prostate and seminal vesicles. In this case, the volumes of formations are precisely determined. With prostate adenoma and malignant processes, this study is mandatory.

Extended spermogram with MAR test and Kruger test. Indicated for men who cannot conceive a child. This study makes it possible to find out whether prostatitis has affected the ability to fertilize, that is, how the qualitative and quantitative composition of spermatozoa has changed.

Study for PSA. It is performed with suspicion of a malignant tumor after the age of 45.

Deciphering the results of the analysis for prostatitis

Urine analysis. In healthy men, the content of leukocytes is not more than 3. There is no blood in the urine normally.

PCR diagnostics. The presence of DNA of pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases is determined.

Study of prostate juice. The content of leukocytes is not more than 12. Epithelium and erythrocytes are normally single. There should be no other indicators.

Ejaculate analysis. Its volume normally ranges from 2 to 6 ml. There is no mucus, leukocytes - no more than 1 million / ml. The number of live sperm should be at least half. Agglutination and aggregation should not be detected. According to the morphological structure, from 40 to 60% of all germ cells should be from normal spermatozoa.

Uzi and TruZI. During the procedure, the specialist evaluates the density and volume of the prostate. For seminal vesicles, the norm is no more than 5 cm.

Deviation of test results from the norm may indicate an inflammatory process in the prostate gland.

How to prepare for a prostatitis test

The procedure for taking tests for prostatitis requires careful preparation. Otherwise, the results of the study may be unreliable. There is no need to limit the amount of fluid taken. However, 8 hours before the procedure, it is advisable to give up juices, coffee and alcohol.

Urine should be collected in a clean container. Before its collection, a hygienic procedure without the use of detergents is necessary. Do not eat food with natural dyes (beets, blueberries, carrots, herbs) and take drugs with dyes (for example, ascorbic acid dragees). Do not take diuretics, antibiotics and other drugs that affect the results.

Before collecting the secretion of the prostate gland, you will need to massage it. This procedure is performed by a doctor. A three-day sexual abstinence is also required, but not more than 5 days.

To prepare for the spermogram, sexual rest will have to be observed from 5 to 7 days. You can not bathe in the bath and take antibiotics. In addition, you need to give up carbonated drinks and alcohol.

Proper preparation for tests will make it possible to accurately determine the diagnosis and select the appropriate treatment.