Epididymo-orchitis caused by enteric organisms in men > 35 years old: beyond fluoroquinolones

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2018 Jun;37(6):1001-1008. doi: 10.1007/s10096-018-3212-z. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Abstract

Epididymo-orchitis is a common urological condition in men of all ages, causing a unilateral or bilateral swelling of the epididymis and/or testis. It is frequently caused by sexually transmitted infections, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrheae, as well as common enteric organisms implicated in urinary tract infections. Men over 35 years old may develop epididymo-orchitis associated with enteric organisms, often associated with functional bladder outlet problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or urethral stricture disease. Fluoroquinolones, especially ciprofloxacin, have long been the mainstay of treatment for these infections; however, rising resistance to ciprofloxacin in E. coli isolates in Europe and the USA means that there is an unprecedented necessity for alternative antimicrobials with adequate penetration into genital tissues (epididymis and testes) to allow appropriate and comprehensive treatment of epididymo-orchitis in this group of patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chlamydia Infections / drug therapy*
  • Chlamydia Infections / microbiology
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / drug effects
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / isolation & purification
  • Ciprofloxacin / administration & dosage
  • Ciprofloxacin / adverse effects
  • Ciprofloxacin / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Epididymis / drug effects
  • Epididymitis / drug therapy
  • Epididymitis / microbiology*
  • Fluoroquinolones / administration & dosage
  • Fluoroquinolones / adverse effects
  • Fluoroquinolones / therapeutic use*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / drug effects
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / isolation & purification
  • Orchitis / drug therapy
  • Orchitis / microbiology*
  • Rats
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / microbiology
  • Testis / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Ciprofloxacin