ABSENCE OF BACTERIAL AND VIRAL DNA IN BLADDER BIOPSIES FROM PATIENTS WITH INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS/CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROME
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
We examined bladder biopsies from women with interstitial cystitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (IC/CPPS) for the presence of bacterial and viral DNA sequences using polymerase chain reaction.
Materials and Methods:
Bladder biopsies were taken during cystoscopy from patients under investigation for IC/CPPS, or controls undergoing colposuspension for stress incontinence. Biopsies were snap frozen to −70C. After DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers for the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene confirmed the presence of human DNA. PCR for bacterial and viral gene sequences was performed using specific primers. Positive reactions were repeated to confirm the signal.
Results:
A total of 92 patients with IC/CPPS (12 who met the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases criteria and 80 who did not) and 91 controls were recruited. PCR for hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene was positive in all samples. PCR for the 16S ribosomal RNA gene, as well as for adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus types I and II, human papillomavirus (all subtypes) and Chlamydia trachomatis were negative in all samples.
Conclusions:
IC/CPPS is not associated with persistence of viral and bacterial DNA in the bladder. A chronic infective etiology for the condition is excluded by these findings.
From the Urogynaecology Department, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Medical Microbiology Department, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, (HW, CAH), Warrington Hospital, Warrington, (MF), and Reproductive Science Section, del Cancer Studies e Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester (DGT), United Kingdom
Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, P.O. Box 65, Leicester LE2 7LX United Kingdom (telephone: +44 116 258 8391; FAX: +44 116 273 1620).
Submitted for publication September 24, 2004.
Supported by a grant from the North West National Health Service Research and Development Office (number RD0/28/2/02).
Study received local ethical committee approval.
For another article on a related topic see page 344.
ABSTRACT