Table of contents
Acute bacterial prostatitis
What's new
Updated 2024 EAU guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute bacterial prostatitis.
Background
Overview
Definition
Acute bacterial prostatitis is an uncommon infection of the prostate gland due to bacteria, usually with severe presentation.
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Pathophysiology
Acute bacterial prostatitis is an infection of the prostate gland, typically caused by common urinary tract pathogens. The bacteria usually enter the prostate from the urethra, triggering an inflammatory response within the gland. This inflammation can lead to swelling and discomfort in the prostate and surrounding areas.
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Epidemiology
Acute bacterial prostatitis constitutes nearly 10% of prostatitis diagnoses, predominantly affecting individuals aged 20-40 and those > 70 years.
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Disease course
Clinically, patients with acute bacterial prostatitis often present with a range of symptoms. These can include fever, chills, and malaise, as well as urinary symptoms such as dysuria, urinary frequency, and urgency. Some patients may also experience pelvic or perineal pain, and in severe cases, there may be blood in the urine. In some instances, patients may present with symptoms of urosepsis, such as tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension.
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Prognosis and risk of recurrence
The prognosis of acute bacterial prostatitis is generally good with appropriate treatment, which typically involves antibiotics.
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Guidelines
Key sources
The following summarized guidelines for the evaluation and management of acute bacterial prostatitis are prepared by our editorial team based on guidelines from the European Association of Urology (EAU 2024) and the Canadian Urological Association (CUA 2011)....
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Diagnostic investigations
Physical examination: as per EAU 2024 guidelines, Do not perform prostatic massage in patients with acute bacterial prostatitis.
D
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Urine tests
Blood tests
Transrectal ultrasound
Pelvic imaging
Medical management
General principles: as per EAU 2024 guidelines, Treat acute bacterial prostatitis according to the recommendations for complicated UTIs.
A
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Setting of care
Antibiotic therapy
Management of pain
Management of voiding symptoms
Therapeutic procedures
Urethral catheterization
As per CUA 2011 guidelines:
Perform urethral catheterization with a trial of voiding or short-term small caliber urethral catheterization in patients with severe obstructive voiding symptoms or urinary retention.
B
Consider placing a suprapubic tube in patients not tolerating a urethral catheter.
C