{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T01:49:20Z","timestamp":1788918560612,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":37,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,14]],"date-time":"2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1744588800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Diagnostics"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) is a prevalent urological condition significantly impacting patients\u2019 quality of life. Accurate diagnosis is essential to differentiate bacterial from non-bacterial prostatitis and to guide appropriate antimicrobial therapy. In the context of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Meares and Stamey (M&amp;S) test is a valuable diagnostic tool for targeted antibiotic use and a valuable antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) measure. Despite its clinical relevance, its adoption is limited by practical and logistical challenges. Methods: Relevant databases were searched by using methods recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The keywords used included \u201cMeares and Stamey test,\u201d \u201cantimicrobial stewardship and prostatitis,\u201d and \u201cchronic bacterial prostatitis and Meares.\u201d Results: We enclosed seven studies: one single-center prospective observational comparative study, two national surveys, three cross-sectional studies, and one consensus conference. The M&amp;S test remains the gold standard for diagnosing CBP, offering high specificity in identifying bacterial infections localized within the prostate. The test enables precise pathogen identification and facilitates targeted antimicrobial therapy. Despite its clinical relevance, its adoption is hindered by procedural complexity, patient discomfort, and the apparent need for specialized personnel and facilities. Alternative diagnostic methods, such as the two-glass pre- and post-massage test (PPMT), have demonstrated comparable diagnostic sensitivity while being more practical and time-efficient. Additionally, emerging microbiological techniques are under investigation to increase the M&amp;S test\u2019s sensitivity. Conclusions: The M&amp;S test plays a crucial role in AMS by ensuring targeted antimicrobial therapy in CBP. Overcoming its limitations through patient stratification, clinician education, and the integration of emerging microbiological techniques is essential to enhance its applicability in modern urological practice.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/diagnostics15081002","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,15]],"date-time":"2025-04-15T03:59:06Z","timestamp":1744689546000},"page":"1002","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Could Urology\u2019s Antimicrobial Stewardship Be Enhanced by the Routine Use of the Meares and Stamey Test?"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-6874-2904","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Simone","family":"Botti","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Urology Division, Santa Chiara Regional and Teaching Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), 38123 Trento, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2423-2933","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Tommaso","family":"Ceccato","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Urology Division, Santa Chiara Regional and Teaching Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), 38123 Trento, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michele","family":"Rizzo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Urology, University of Trieste, 34121 Trieste, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2431-5296","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giovanni","family":"Liguori","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Urology, University of Trieste, 34121 Trieste, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2252-4297","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alessandro","family":"Zucchi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Urology, University of Pisa, 56121 Pisa, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alessandro","family":"Palmieri","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Urology, University Federico II, 80013 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3490-6460","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Truls E. Bjerklund","family":"Johansen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0025 Oslo, Norway"},{"name":"Department of Urology, Oslo University Hospital, 0025 Oslo, Norway"},{"name":"Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, 8210 Aarhus, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7234-3526","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Tommaso","family":"Cai","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Urology Division, Santa Chiara Regional and Teaching Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), 38123 Trento, Italy"},{"name":"Centre for Medical Sciences (CISMed), University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,14]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"234","DOI":"10.1080\/00325481.2019.1680052","article-title":"Treatment of urinary tract infections in the era of antimicrobial resistance and new antimicrobial agents","volume":"132","author":"Bader","year":"2020","journal-title":"Postgrad. 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