How are prostatic secretions obtained?
These secretions are expressed by milking (massaging) the prostate gland during a digital rectal exam. Repeated milking of the prostate causes secretions to flow from the prostatic ducts into the urethra and out the tip of the penis. The EPS are then collected on a glass slide and examined under the microscope for the presence or absence of bacteria and special scavenger cells called leukocytes. Swarms of leukocytes indicate inflammatory changes within the prostate. The secretions can also be cultured. If bacteria grow, it cinches the diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis and directs therapy; if they dont, it can prevent the inappropriate use of antibiotics.
