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Decreased nanobacteria levels and symptoms of nanobacteria-associated interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome after tetracycline treatment

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

This study was designed to detect whether nanobacteria (NB) reside in urine and bladder tissue samples of patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and whether antibiotic therapy targeting these organisms is effective in reducing NB levels and IC/PBS symptoms.

Methods

Twenty-seven IC/PBS patients underwent cystoscopy. Bladder biopsies and urine samples were obtained and cultured for NB, which were identified by indirect immunofluorescent staining and transmission electron microscopy.

Results

Eleven bladder samples showed growth of microbes that were identified to be similar to NB. Homologous study of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene suggested that the NB could be the pathogen. For enrolled 11 patients, NB levels decreased dramatically after tetracycline treatment, and they reported significant reduction in the severity of IC/PBS symptoms.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of NB was observed in female IC/PBS, and anti-NB treatment effectively improved the symptoms, which suggest that NB may cause some cases of IC/PBS.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China no. 30700270 and no.30772161.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Urological Research Institute of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, People’s Republic of China

    Qing-hua Zhang, Xue-cheng Shen, Zhan-song Zhou, Zhi-wen Chen, Gen-sheng Lu & Bo Song

Authors
  1. Qing-hua Zhang
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  2. Xue-cheng Shen
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  3. Zhan-song Zhou
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  4. Zhi-wen Chen
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  5. Gen-sheng Lu
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  6. Bo Song
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Gen-sheng Lu or Bo Song.

Additional information

Qing-hua Zhang and Xue-cheng Shen contributed equally to the study.

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Zhang, Qh., Shen, Xc., Zhou, Zs. et al. Decreased nanobacteria levels and symptoms of nanobacteria-associated interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome after tetracycline treatment. Int Urogynecol J 21, 103–109 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0994-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-009-0994-7

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