Question

Which organism causes acute bacterial prostatitis?

• A. Enterococcus
• B. Streptococcus viridans
• C. Peptostreptococcus
• D. E. coli

Hint:

Think of the commonest uropathogen ascending into the prostate.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Acute bacterial prostatitis is overwhelmingly caused by aerobic gram-negative bacilli that ascend from the urethra or reflux into the prostatic ducts. Step 2: Among these, Escherichia coli is the single most common pathogen, accounting for roughly 50% to 80% of cases. Other Enterobacteriaceae such as Klebsiella and Proteus cause about 10% to 30%, and Enterococcus species only 5% to 10%. Step 3: Therefore E. coli (option d) is the answer. Step 4: Enterococcus is a gram-positive minor contributor, Streptococcus viridans is an oral/endocarditis organism not a urinary pathogen, and Peptostreptococcus is an anaerobe that does not cause this aerobic ascending infection - so a, b, and c are wrong.