Human cytomegalovirus is not implicated in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a study using immunohistochemistry and the polymerase chain reaction.

Overview

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether human cytomegalovirus (CMV) may play a role in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used immunohistochemistry and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate the presence of CMV in normal prostatic tissue (n = 12) and BPH tissue (n = 21). RESULTS: Immunostaining for CMV in prostatic tissue was negative; however, staining was evident in mononuclear cells seen in the tissues of both groups. With nested PCR, CMV genomic material was demonstrated in 1 tissue specimen from each group (p > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that CMV is unlikely to be a significant factor in the pathogenesis of BPH.