Wood Hadley M, Shoskes Daniel A
Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, Mail Code: A100 OH, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
World J Urol. 2006 Feb;24(1):51-4. doi: 10.1007/s00345-005-0041-3. Epub 2006 Jan 10.
Recent data proposing an extremely small, self-replicating agent termed "nanobacteria" has raised a great deal of controversy within the scientific community. Since these agents have been isolated within the genitourinary tract, much research has focused attention on the potential role these particles may play in the development of urologic pathology, including polycystic kidney disease, renal calculi, and chronic prostatitis. Recent clinical research targeting these agents has proven effective in treating some patients with refractory category III prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome). This article reviews the current state of nanobacteria research and explore where these particles may impact urologic disease.
