Background: The epidemiologic evidence for an association of Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) with overall prostate cancer is mixed, but some studies suggest Tv may increase risk of more aggressive disease. The aim of this study was to assess whether Tv serostatus is associated with advanced or fatal prostate cancer.
Methods: A total of 146 men with advanced (metastatic or fatal) prostate cancer and 181 age-matched controls were selected from two prior population-based, case-control studies. Tv serostatus was determined with the same laboratory methods used in previous epidemiologic studies. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multivariable logistic regression to compare Tv serostatus in prostate cancer cases and controls adjusted for potential confounders.
Results: The seroprevalence of Tv in controls was 23%. Tv serostatus was not associated with an increased risk of metastatic or fatal prostate cancer (ORs < 1).
Conclusions: Our study does not support an increased risk of advanced or fatal prostate cancer in men seropositive for Tv.
Keywords: Trichomonas vaginalis; prostate cancer; sexually transmitted infections.
© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.