Specific mucosal immunity in the pathophysiology of bacterial prostatitis in a rat model

Mucosal immunity was established in the rat prostate by stimulating the com mon mucosal system through serosal exposure of formalin-killed Escherichia coli. Immunized but not sham-immunized rats developed bacterial specific Ig G and IgA in prostatic fluid, and IgA in urine. Immunized (n = 21) and sham -immunized control rats (n = 30) were challenged by transurethral injection of E. coli into the prostate ducts. Mortality, gross and microscopic patho logy, tissue bacterial counts, bacterial associated immunoglobulins, and an tibody titers in serum and urine were assessed at 7 days following the chal lenge. Increased E. coli specific immunoglobulin titers were seen in immuni zed rats, and E. coli, but not Proteus, found in the prostates of immunized animals were coated with IgG and IgA. Immunization protected against toxae mia and septicemia, seen as a rare complication of acute prostatitis, but d id not protect against acute prostatitis, nor alter the degree of tissue da mage seen in the rat model.