Granulomatous prostatitis. Association with isolation of Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium fortuitum

ISOLATION of atypical mycobacteria from the genitourinary tract has rarely been reported, 1,2 and we are unaware of any reports of isolation of such organisms from the prostate. The case reported here is one of granulomatous prostatitis from which both Mycobacterium kansasii and M fortuitum were isolated by culture. Report of a Case A 31-year-old man was first examined in 1966 for burning and frequency of urination associated with deep perineal and back pain. The diagnosis of nonspecific prostatitis was made, and the patient was intermittently treated with urinary antiseptics and prostatic massage for several years. During this time, he refused cystoscopic and roentgenographic studies. In September 1975, during one of his routine visits, an area of slightly increased induration was palpated in the right lobe of the prostate, and by February 1976, this nodule had increased in size. The nodule was discrete, was 4 to 5 mm in diameter,