THE IN-VITRO BACTERICIDAL EFFECT OF MICROWAVE-ENERGY ON BACTERIA THATCAUSE PROSTATITIS

Objectives. We investigated the in vitro nonthermal effects of microwa ves delivered from Prostatron 2.0 on Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae. Methods. The fingers of powder-free, sterile gloves were lig ated, and bacterial solutions were transferred into the remaining area of the glove. The gloves were then sealed using silk ligatures. One s et of gloves was subjected to the microwave treatment while another se t was placed in a temperature-matched waterbath to act as control samp les. The gloves containing the treatment group were taped around the p robe, at the site where microwave energy exits the probe. During the t reatment period, the temperatures from the urethral probe and the rect al probe were carefully monitored. Results. The mean (+/-SD) energy de livered was 46.6 +/- 9.5 kJ (range 30.0 to 59.5) for the 10 trials on E. coli and colony counts in the experimental microwaved gloves decrea sed significantly compared with control samples (5.26 +/- 4.5 x 10(5) versus 10.16 +/- 9.3 x 10(5) CFU/mL, P = 0.02). For the experiments on E. cloacae the mean (+/-SD) energy applied was 38.5 +/- 12.5 kJ, and a significant decrease in colony counts of microwaved samples was also observed compared with controls (11.04 +/- 4.8 x 10(5) versus 20.08 /- 10.1 x 10(5) CFU/mL, P = 0.004). Conclusions. Microwave energy, del ivered from Prostatron 2.0, independent of heat production has an in v itro bactericidal effect on laboratory-cultured E. coli and E. cloacae . UROLOGY 52: 411-416, 1998. (C) 1998, Elsevier Science Inc. All right s reserved.