ABSTRACT
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland and may be caused by bacterial infection. There are four types of prostatitis: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic non-bacterial prostatitis and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. The causes of bacterial prostatitis are usually the bacteria E. coli, klebsiella and proteus. The most common form of prostatitis is chronic non-bacterial. The cause of this type is unknown and is also referred to as 'chronic pelvic pain syndrome.' The cause of this type is unknown and is also referred to as 'chronic pelvic pain syndrome.' Acute bacterial prostatitis may be transmitted via sexual contact so is regarded as a sexually transmitted infection. Prostatitis can occur in males at any age. There are no symptoms – a high white blood cell count is sometimes seen during routine testing. Acute bacterial prostatitis can result in permanent prostate damage if not treated promptly.
