In cases involving Bacillus megaterium, the effects were also documented ultrastructurally with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Ultrastructurally, increasingly irregular contours and a loosening of the smooth surface were observed, combined with a fragmentation of the bacteria. Among 9 other bacterial strains tested, a complete growth inhibition by prostasomes was attained in 3 strains, while the other 6 were unaffected. Our data suggest that prostasomes, or prostasome-derived proteins, are responsible for the antibacterial effects on Bacillus megaterium and some other bacterial strains. The results may serve as a basis of development of a new class of antibacterial drugs.
Nonbacterial prostatitis is a common problem in young men.
It is a disease that is often recurrent and each episode lasts for several months. Different causative mechanisms of the disease have been discussed, including identified and unidentified microorganisms, stone formation and psychological factors. We performed a paralled double-blind controlled study of the objective and subjective effects of allopurinol on patients with nonbacterial prostatitis. All patients began medication at the same time regardless of whether the disease was in an active state. No side effects were noted in the treatment groups.