From the Guidelines
Lymphocytopenia and prostatitis can both be caused by viral infections, particularly HIV, as well as other factors such as bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders, and certain medications. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, provides guidelines on urological infections, including bacterial prostatitis, but does not directly address the cause of lymphocytopenia and prostatitis. However, study 1 provides guidance on the management of immune-related adverse events, including lymphopenia, and suggests that viral infections such as HIV can cause lymphocytopenia. Other studies, such as 1 and 1, discuss the increased risk of opportunistic infections, including bacterial and viral infections, in people living with HIV, which can contribute to both lymphocytopenia and prostatitis. Some key points to consider when evaluating a patient with both conditions include:
- Comprehensive evaluation, including complete blood count, prostate-specific antigen testing, and potentially HIV testing
- History of autoimmune disease, family history of autoimmune disease, and history of lymphocyte-depleting therapy
- Physical examination, including spleen size
- Bacterial cultures and evaluation for infection, including fungal, viral, and bacterial infections
- Consideration of medications that may suppress lymphocyte production or contribute to prostatitis through altered immune function. It is essential to prioritize the patient's morbidity, mortality, and quality of life when determining the underlying cause and guiding treatment for lymphocytopenia and prostatitis.
From the Research
Lymphocytopenia Causes
- Lymphocytopenia can be caused by various factors, including insufficient thymic output, increased lymphocyte catabolism, modified lymphocyte distribution, and multifactorial or unknown etiology 2
- In adults, lymphocytopenia can be caused by primary immune deficiencies, corticosteroid treatment, zinc deficiency, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunosuppressant, HIV infection, systemic lupus, and end-stage renal disease 2
- In children, lymphocytopenia can be caused by thymocytes apoptosis, cytokine deficiencies, altered B-cell and T-cell receptor synthesis, signal transduction and cellular interactions deficiencies, in addition to the etiologies mentioned for adults 2
Prostatitis Causes
- Prostatitis can be caused by bacterial infections, and conditions that facilitate the introduction of bacteria into the urethra and prostate 3
- Chronic prostatitis can also be caused by chronic neuropathic pain, and conditions that can lead to chronic pelvic pain 3
- Autoimmune response against prostate antigens can also contribute to the development of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) 4
Common Causes of Lymphocytopenia and Prostatitis
- There is no direct evidence of a common cause of lymphocytopenia and prostatitis, however, autoimmune disorders and infections can contribute to the development of both conditions 2, 3, 4
- Lymphopenia can occur in patients with sepsis, which can be caused by bacterial infections, including those that cause prostatitis 5
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, are at a higher risk of developing lymphopenia and serious infections, including prostatitis 6