RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between four cytokines in serum and prostatic fluid and chronic abacterial prostatitis (CAP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected in 86 patients with CAP [CAP I (n = 60), WBC > or = 10/HP; CAP II (n = 26, WBC < 10/HP)], and 20 healthy males as control by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IL-2, IL-8 and TNF-alpha in serum and prostatic fluid, and IL-4 in serum in patients with CAP I were markedly higher than those in the control, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). No significant difference was observed in IL-4 level in prostatic fluid among CAP I, CAP II and control groups respectively (P > 0.05), and in IL-2, IL4, TNF-alpha in serum and prostatic fluid between CAP II group and the control (P > 0.05). IL-8 was correlated with WBC number in prostatic fluid (r = 0.62, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-2, IL-8, TNF-alpha may play roles in the process of pathogenesis of CAP, and they have applicable value in the diagnosis and typing of CAP.</p>