[Diagnostic value of Stamey's test in chronic prostatitis].

OBJECTIVES: Analysis and technical details of Staomey's fractionated urine cultures, the reference method for the evaluation and bacteriological diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis, but the application of which has been rarely described in the literature.

METHOD: Stamey's test is based on comparative analysis of urine samples representative of the urethra, bladder and prostatic secretions obtained by prostatic massage. This method allows the demonstration of bacteria in the urine or prostatic secretions in the presence of bacterial prostatitis, in contra with non-bacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia. The sampling conditions require a sufficiently full bladder and the samples must be collected according to rigorously sterile procedure. The first step of the examination must not be preceded by urethral swabbing and the urine samples must have a well defined volume. Prostatic secretions are obtained by a prolonged massage of each lobe of the prostate gland.

RESULTS: Bacterial prostatitis is confirmed by the presence of bacteria in the prostatic secretions and U3 in numbers largely exceeding the bacterial counts of the other samples. In the case of lower urinary tract infection, the test must be repeated after disinfection of the bladder urine. The pathogenic role of Gram positive bacteria is confirmed by isolation of a high bacterial count on several occasions. The pathogenic role of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Chlamydiae trachomatis is more controversial, while the role of Trichomonas vaginalis is unlikely and fungal prostatitis is very rare. Semen culture is less reliable than Stamey's test in the diagnosis of prostatitis.

CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of chronic prostatitis is difficult due to the absence of typical clinical symptoms, specific ultrasonographic signs and the sometimes difficult interpretation of the culture results. Stamey's test is a reference diagnostic examination provided it is performed according to a rigorous methodology.