Escherichia coli, a common constituent of benign prostate hyperplasia-associated microbiota induces inflammation and DNA damage in prostate epithelial cells.

Our study has shown that the BPH tissues do have a divergent microbial composition including the commonly found E. coli (phylum Proteobacteria), and these bacteria might contribute to the BPH-associated inflammation and/or tissue damage. The BPH-associated E. coli induced NF-κB signaling and DNA damage in prostate epithelial cells in vitro.