Cytomegalovirus prostatitis

Abstract

We report the case of a patient undergoing chemotherapy for multiple myeloma discovered to have cytomegalovirus prostatitis. The findings of a hypoechoic prostatic lesion on ultrasound and a slightly elevated prostatic specific antigen of 4.6 ng/ml prompted a prostate biopsy. Cytopathologic examination and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated cytomegalovirus within the prostate. This virus is a common pathogen in the immunosuppressed patient, but its presence in the male genital tract is relatively rare. No previous reports of biopsy-proven cytomegalovirus prostatitis appear in the literature. The relationship of cytomegalovirus to the prostate is discussed in detail.

Acute and Chronic Prostatitis Syndromes: A Review of Microbiologic and Pathologic Issues

“…Because the presentation can be similar to its bacterial counterpart, both by physical exam and symptomatically, many investigators hypothesize that fastidious organisms could be involved. Agents that have been implicated include Chlamydia trachomatis ( 18–20), Mycoplasma sp ( 19, 21, 22), protozoa such as Trichomonas vaginalis ( 19, 23), as well as viruses ( 24). As previously mentioned, prostatitis implies infection of the prostate and not of the bladder or urethra.…”