Semen cultures in the diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis

The bacterial flora of semen from normal men has been studied. Positive cultures were obtained in 45% of these individuals but only in small colony counts of nonpathogenic bacteria. The seminal flora of patients with bacterial prostatitis was then studied. Excellent correlations have been noted between cultures of prostatic secretions and semen. Semen cultures will almost invariably be diagnostic in patients with bacterial prostatitis. This technique has definite usefulness in selected patients in whom it is otherwise difficult to establish a diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis.