Analysis of prostate secretions: preparation, indicators, decoding
The content of the article:
- Indications and contraindications for the analysis
- Preparation and submission of analysis of prostate secretions
- Norms of indicators determined during the analysis of prostate secretion
-
Decoding the results
- amount
- Colour
- Acidity index
- Leukocytes
- Erythrocytes
- Epithelial cells
- Macrophages
- Amyloid bodies
- Lecithin grains
- Atypical cells
- Fern symptom
- Mycelium of fungi
- Bacteria
Analysis of prostate secretion is an important laboratory method for diagnosing prostate pathologies. The secret produced by the prostate gland plays an important role in ensuring the fertilizing ability of the ejaculate. Pathological processes in the prostate gland have similar symptoms, while the deviations of the secretion from the norm are quite specific.
Analysis of prostate secretion is recommended for all men after 40 years of age to be included in the prophylactic examination Analysis of prostate secretion is recommended for all men after 40 years of age to be included in the prophylactic examination
When prescribing a study of prostate secretion, a qualified specialist will explain how the material is taken for this test, how the analysis is done, and after its completion, he will decipher what the result shows.
Indications and contraindications for the analysis
The main symptoms that serve as an indication for the appointment of an analysis of prostate secretion are pain in the groin and perineum, pain and / or cramps during urination, intermittent and / or frequent urination (especially at night), unusual discharge from the urethra. Also, the analysis of prostate secretion can be prescribed as part of the diagnosis of male infertility, as well as in order to monitor the effectiveness of treatment of prostate diseases.
Diseases of the prostate gland are recorded in approximately 50% of middle-aged and elderly males. In view of such a widespread prevalence, all men over 40 are recommended to regularly take a prostate secretion test, even in the absence of any complaints, for preventive purposes.
Prophylactic examination of prostate secretion is recommended for men in the complex of diagnostic measures when planning conception, as well as for athletes (in particular, wrestlers and cyclists) and men with sedentary work.
The analysis of prostate secretion is contraindicated in hemorrhoids in the acute stage, rectal fissures, prostate tuberculosis, acute infectious and inflammatory diseases, fever.
Preparation and submission of analysis of prostate secretions
You can take the analysis of the secretion of the prostate in a public or private clinic, as well as in specialized laboratories that have the necessary equipment for this.
It is necessary to properly prepare for the delivery of an analysis of the secretion of the prostate. 5-7 days before the study exclude excessive physical exertion, sexual contact, sauna or bath, drinking alcohol. On the day of the test, a cleansing enema is recommended.
Immediately before taking the material, the head of the patient's penis is treated with a sterile cotton swab moistened with saline. The man takes a knee-elbow position or lies on his side, bringing his knees to his stomach. The doctor collects prostate secretions in a specially designed sterile container after rectal finger massage of the prostate gland. If there are difficulties in collecting body fluid, you can collect the first portion of urine after the procedure, which contains a small amount of prostate secretion. The collected material is delivered to the laboratory. The results, as a rule, are ready in 1-2 working days after taking the biomaterial for research.
Norms of indicators determined during the analysis of prostate secretion
The rates of prostate secretion are presented in the table.
Index Normal values amount 0.5-4 ml Colour Whitish Reaction (pH) 6.4-7.0 Leukocytes 0-12 in the field of view Erythrocytes Absent or isolated in the field of view Epithelial cells Solitary in sight Macrophages Not found Amyloid bodies Absent Lecithin grains A large number (occupy about ½ of the field of view) Atypical cells Absent Fern symptom Positive Spores, mushroom mycelium Absent Gonococci Absent Trichomonas Absent Decoding the results
amount
A decrease in the amount of secretion is observed with an inflammatory process in the prostate gland, an increase - with congestion.
Colour
An intensely white or yellowish color of the secretion may indicate inflammation of the prostate gland, reddish - about an inflammatory or tumor process.
Acidity index
An acidic reaction of the secretion of the prostate may indicate an acute form or exacerbation of chronic prostatitis. In chronic prostatitis without exacerbation, the reaction of the secretion of the prostate is alkaline.
Leukocytes
An increase in the number of leukocytes indicates an inflammatory process. When decoding this indicator, it is taken into account that leukocytes can be mixed with the secretion of the prostate when it passes through the urethra.
Erythrocytes
The number of red blood cells can increase with prostatitis, a malignant tumor of the prostate gland.
Epithelial cells
An increase in the number of epithelial cells is a sign of inflammation.
Macrophages
Macrophages are found in the secretion of the prostate in congestion, chronic inflammation.
Amyloid bodies
The appearance of amyloid bodies in the secret of the prostate usually occurs with congestion.
Lecithin grains
A decrease in the number of lecithin grains indicates a decrease in the function of the prostate gland, it may indicate the presence of prostatitis.
Atypical cells
Detection of abnormal cells in the preparation usually indicates a neoplasm in the prostate gland.
Fern symptom
Fern symptom is the name of the phenomenon of crystallization of prostate secretion. This test is carried out by adding 0.9% sodium chloride solution to the test material and examining the dried preparation under a microscope. Normally, during crystallization, a pattern is formed that visually resembles a fern leaf. The crystal structure is usually disturbed (or crystals are completely absent) in the presence of a chronic inflammatory process in the prostate gland.
Mycelium of fungi
Microscopic fungi in the secretion of the prostate gland can be detected in prostatitis.
Bacteria
The causative agents of sexually transmitted infections are normally not found in the secretion of the prostate. Their identification indicates the presence of one or another infectious disease (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, etc.).
Despite the high information content of the study, based on the analysis of prostate secretion alone, the diagnosis is not made. It is complemented by other studies: analysis of a smear from the urethra, general urine analysis, bacteriological culture (culture tank) of urine and / or prostate secretion, spermogram, determination of prostate-specific antigen in the blood, etc.
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Anna Aksenova Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author
Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".
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