Title: Chlamydia trachomatis as a cause of acute "idiopathic" epididymitis.

POPLINE Document Number: 018210

Author(s):

Berger RE
Alexander ER
Monda GD
Ansell J
McCormick G
Holmes KK

Source citation:

New England Journal of Medicine, 1978 Feb 9;298(6):301-4.

Abstract:

To assess the etiologic role of C. trachomatis and other microorganisms in idiopathic epididymitis, 23 men underwent microbiologic studies, including cultures of epididymal aspirates in 16. 11 of 13 men under age 35 had C. trachomatis infection whereas 8 of 10 over age 35 had coliform urinary tract infection. Cultures of epididymal aspirates yielded C. trachomatis alone in 5 of 6 men under 35, and coliform bacteria alone in 5 of 10 over 35. These results suggests that C. trachomatis is the major cause of idiopathic epididymitis, and coliform bacteria the major cause of epididymitis in older men. Expressible urethral discharge and inguinal pain were more common in the chlamydial cases, whereas concurrent genitourinary abnormality and scrotal edema and erythema occurred more commonly in the coliform cases. The morbidity attributable to C. trachomatis is as serious as that attributable to Neisseria gonorrhoeae. (author's modified)

Keywords:

Infections
Epididymis
Laboratory Procedures
Complications
Age Factors
Diseases
Testis
Genitalia, Male
Genitalia
Urogenital System
Physiology
Biology
Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses
Examinations and Diagnoses
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population