The clinical and bacteriologic features of 269 cases of prostatic abscess (PA) reported during the last 40 years were reviewed. In the pre-antibiotic era, PA not uncommonly had a dramatic presentation and frequently was caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Currently, PA may be difficult to differentiate from prostatitis and other diseases of the lower urogenital tract. Prostatic enlargement is found in 75% of cases, whereas fever and urinary retention each occur in only one-third of cases. The organisms most frequently isolated from PA are Escherichia coli and other gram-negative bacilli; other isolates include Staphylococcus species and an expanding spectrum of bacteria and fungi. PA due to Staphylococcus species may also occur in neonates. Transrectal ultrasonography and computerized tomography are valuable methods for the preoperative diagnosis of PA. Although transurethral resection of the prostate is the most commonly used therapy for PA, transperineal aspiration of pus guided by transrectal ultrasonography appears to be promising.

Abscess↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Motility, vitality and percentages of morphologically abnormal forms of human spermatozoa in relation to sperm counts.

The present work was designed to study the proportions of motile and vital sperms as well as of various types of morphologically defective spermatozoa in both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic human semens, aiming at examining whether with the decrease in sperm counts there is a predilection of certain pathologies of these cells. It was found that, generally, the percentages of non-motile and non-vital spermatozoa and of all abnormal forms examined increase with the degree of oligozoospermia. However, no predilection of particular forms could be observed. It is suggested that morphological abnormalities of spermatozoa could be only a partial expression of pathological processes involved in fertility disorders and that the number of biologically defective spermatozoa may be higher than that assessed by routine laboratory techniques.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Head abnormalities: assessment of sperm in the routine laboratory.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acrosome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Some characteristics of split human semen of various sperm densities.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Bulbourethral Glands↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Separation of normozoospermic human spermatozoa into subpopulations by selective agglutination with peanut agglutinin.

Incubation of human spermatozoa of normozoospermic origin with the galactose specific lectin peanut agglutinin (PNA) resulted in agglutination of the majority of sperm. This finding enabled separation of sperm into two subpopulations. The major one, accounting for 87.0 +/- 12.7 (SD)% consisted of agglutinating sperm (PNA+), while the minor subpopulation (PNA-) did not bind the lectin. The correlation between the percentages of PNA- sperm and acrosome-damaged sperm, as detected by light microscopy prior to separation, was analysed and an overlapping has been found. Light and electron microscopy examination revealed that the PNA- cells were either acrosomeless or possessed severely damaged acrosomes while the PNA+ sperm were mostly free of such pathologies. Following treatment of sperm with fluorescin-conjugated PNA the single cells lacked any labeling while the agglutinates exhibited fluorescence. However, the binding of the lectin to sperm was non-uniform and differences in fluorescence intensity at various parts of the head have been observed. The sialic acid content in PNA+ sperm was found to be significantly higher (7.5 +/- 2.2 micrograms/10(8) sperm) as compared to PNA- sperm (2.1 +/- 0.6 micrograms/10(8) sperm). It was suggested that sialic acid content could be a biochemical indicator of acrosomal integrity. Separation of sperm by selective PNA agglutination might be valuable for elimination of sperm affected by acrosomal pathologies from the ejaculate.

Galactose↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Familial varicocele.

Described are two families in each of which two young males had varicocele. HLA-A, B, C and D5R antigen studies were performed in one family but no genetic factors could be determined. In a review of several large series of patients with varicocele we found no mention of familial occurrence. Although the linkage between adolescent varicocele and spermatogenic dysfunction is still debatable, it is concluded from our experience that it is worthwhile examining other male members of families of affected adolescents or children but that expensive invasive studies are not warranted.

Adolescent↗