Title: Etiology, manifestations and therapy of acute epididymitis: prospective study of 50 cases.

POPLINE Document Number: 018212

Author(s):

Berger RE
Alexander ER
Harnisch JP
Paulsen CA
Monda GD
Ansell J
Holmes KK

Source citation:

Journal of Urology, 1979 Jun;121(6):750-4.

Abstract:

There were 50 patients with acute epididymitis who were evaluated prospectively by history, examination, and microbiologic studies, including studies for aerobes, anaerobes, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum. Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen isolated from the urine of men more than 35 years old, while Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were the predominant pathogens isolated from the urethra of men under age 35. The etiologic role of Escherichia coli and Chlamydia trachomatis was confirmed by isolation from epididymal aspirates from a high proportion of men with positive urine or urethral cultures for these agents. Chlamydia trachomatis epididymitis accounted for 2/3 of idiopathic epididymitis in young men and was often associated with oligospermia. Of 9 female sexual partners of men with Chlamydia trachomatis infection, 6 had antibody to Chlamydia trachomatis, of whom 2 had positive cervical cultures for this organism and 2 others had nongonococcal pelvic inflammatory disease. Antibiotic therapy with tetracycline was effective for the treatment of men with Chlamydia trachomatis epididymitis and should be offered to the female sex partners. (author's)

Keywords:

Prospective Studies
Epididymis
Treatment
Evaluation
Laboratory Procedures
Complications
Semen
Age Factors
Sex Behavior
Pelvic Infections
Studies
Research Methodology
Testis
Genitalia, Male
Genitalia
Urogenital System
Physiology
Biology
Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses
Examinations and Diagnoses
Diseases
Seminal Vesicles
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Behavior
Infections