Objective    To discover the rapidest and most reliable method for detecting nanobacteria infection in type Ⅲ prostatitis by comparing several available methods.     Methods    Expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) specimens were obtained from 150 outpatients suffering from type Ⅲ prostatitis from the Department of Urology

Southwest Hospital

Chongqing

China. Nanobacteria infection in the EPS specimens was detected by indirect immunofluorescence staining (IIFS)

alizarin red staining of calcium

and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). With the result of indirect immunofluorescence staining after culture (IIFSC) as a benchmark

the differences of the concerning the positive detection rate

sensitivity and specificity were compared.     Results    The positive detection rate

sensitivity and specificity of IIFS were 23.3%

42.2% and 100%

respectively. Those of alizarin red staining of calcium were 21.3%

34.9% and 95.5%

and those of PCR were 57.3%

95.2% and 89.6%

respectively. The positive detection rate of IIFS or alizarin red calcium staining had a statistical difference from that of IIFSC (P0.05). However

there was no statistical difference between the positive detection rates of PCR and IIFSC (P0.05).     Conclusion    PCR is superior to IIFS and alizarin red staining of calcium in terms of positive detection rate

and has high sensitivity and specificity as well. Therefore

PCR can be widely used for the rapid detection of nanobacteria infection in type Ⅲ prostatitis.