Comparison of inflammatory markers between brucella and non-brucella epididymo-orchitis

ABSTRACT Objectives: Brucellosis is a multi-system infectious disease that is associated with inflammation, which causes an increase in acute phase reactants. Hematological inflammatory markers of brucellosis include mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of hematological inflammatory markers in Brucella epididymo-orchitis (BEO), and to investigate the utility of these markers for differential diagnosis from non-Brucella epididymo-orchitis (non-BEO). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 22 BEO and 50 non-BEO patients. Hematological parameters were recorded and compared between the two groups. The main diagnostic criteria for BEO were positive clinical findings (i.e., testicular pain, tenderness and scrotal swelling), a positive Rose Bengal test result, standard tube agglutination (STA) titer ≥ 1/160, and/or a positive blood culture. Results: The most decisive factors in discriminating between BEO and non-BEO were NLR, RDW, and MPV, in decreasing order of their strength. Regardless of other factors, NLR values < 2.3 significantly increased the odds of BEO (OR=8.080, 95% CI: 1.929-33.843, p=0.004). After adjusting for other factors, RDW values >14.45% significantly increased the odds of BEO (OR=7.020, 95% CI: 1.749-28.176, p=0.006). Independent of the other factors, patients with MPV < 7.65 fL had a 6.336 times higher risk for BEO (95% CI: 1.393 - 28.822, p=0.017). Conclusion: Hematological inflammatory markers such as NLR, RDW, and MPV can aid in the differential diagnosis of BEO and non-BEO.

Real-time PCR for detection of Brucella ovis and Histophilus somni in ovine urine and semen / PCR em tempo real para detecção de Brucella ovis e Histophilus somni em urina e sêmen ovino

A epididimite infecciosa ovina é uma das principais enfermidades reprodutivas de carneiros. O presente estudo teve por objetivo desenvolver protocolos de PCR em tempo real para B. ovis e H. somni e avaliar sua aplicabilidade em amostras de sêmen e urina de carneiros. Delinearam-se primers e sondas espécie-específicos para cada agente. As sondas foram delineadas com o sistema TaqMan incorporando um marcador FAM para B. ovis e Cy5 para H. somni na extremidade 5' e um quencher na extremidade 3'. A PCR em tempo real para B. ovis e H. somni foi altamente sensível, uma vez que a amplificação de DNA ocorreu com até 0,2ng de DNA/reação. A especificidade dos iniciadores e sondas foi avaliada com amostras de DNA de outros agentes causadores de epididimite ovina e nenhuma amplificação inespecífica foi observada. A aplicabilidade da técnica em amostras biológicas também foi confirmada, pois não houve perda de eficácia (P>0,05) quando comparada à PCR convencional com amostras de sêmen e urina de carneiros experimentalmente infectados.

Scrotal pain: Evaluation and management

Scrotal pain is a common complaint in a urological practice. Its diagnosis can prove challenging in both acute and chronic forms and requires a thorough and complete history and physical examination. This article discusses the evaluation and management of several entities of scrotal pain, including testicular torsion, epididymitis, postvasectomy pain, varicocele, and chronic orchialgia.

Escroto agudo en el niño / Acute scrotum syndrome in children

El síndrome de escroto agudo en el niño se caracteriza por dolor escrotal agudo, acompañado de signos inflamatorios. Las causas más frecuentes son torsión de apéndices testiculares, torsión de cordón espermático y epididimitis/orquitis. En esta revisión, se describe la clínica, métodos diagnósticos y tratamiento de estas patologías. Se destaca la importancia del diagnóstico diferencial precoz ya que el tratamiento oportuno de la torsión del cordón espermático disminuye la posibilidad de necrosis del testículo afectado.

Acute scrotum syndrome in children is characterized by acute scrotal pain, accompanied by inflammatory signs. The most common causes are torsion of testicular appendages, torsion of the spermatic chord and epididymitis/orchitis. In this review, we describe the clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment of these pathologies. We also highlight the importance of early differential diagnosis because timely treatment of the spermatic chord torsion reduce the risk of necrosis in the affected testes.

Brucellar epididymo-orchitis in southeastern part of Turkey: an 8 year experience

OBJECTIVE: the different clinical and laboratory features and response to treatment of patients with acute brucellar epididymo-orchitis (BEO) reporting to the reference hospital in Southeastern Anatolia of Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: in this study, 27 male patients with brucellosis, who presented with epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis (EO) at the university hospital in Diyarbakir from 1998 to 2006, were included. They were compared with the other male patients. Positive blood culture or high agglutination titers of > 1/160 and positive clinical manifestations of brucellosis were the main criteria for diagnosing brucellosis. RESULTS: fourteen patients had unilateral EO. Leukocytosis was present in 10 patients; all of them had initial agglutination titers of > 1/160 and 10 patients had a positive blood culture. All patients received combined therapy with streptomycin for the first 21 days (or oral rifampicin for 6-8 weeks) with doxycycline or tetracycline for 6-8 weeks. All showed improvement, fever subsided in 3-7 days, and the scrotal enlargement and tenderness regressed. Only one patient had a relapse within one year. CONCLUSION: in brucellosis-endemic areas, clinicians encountering EO should consider the likelihood of brucellosis. In this study, young age was the most common risk factor, and leukocytosis and high CRP level were the most common laboratory findings. Most cases were unilateral. All patients responded to medical management very well. Conservative management with combination antibiotic therapy was adequate for managing BEO. Conclusively, brucellosis must be considered as a cause of orchitis, especially in endemic regions like Turkey.

Is procalcitonin valuable in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis

To evaluate the efficacy of procalcitonin [PCT] in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis. This experimental study was performed in the research laboratory of Dicle University, School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey between March and June 2008. The study included 24 male rats randomized equally in 3 groups: sham, epididymo-orchitis, and torsion groups. Blood samples were obtained from all rats at the beginning of the study. After torsion and infection occurred in the testes, new blood samples were obtained for PCT measurement. Then, all the right testes of the rats were excised for histopathological evaluation. The Wilcoxon signed test was used for statistical evaluation. Pre- and post PCT levels were statically compared, and PCT levels were significantly higher in the epididymo-orchitis group. Procalcitonin could be an easy, fast, and safe marker for use in the differential diagnosis of testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis

Impact of infection on the secretory capacity of the male accessory glands

INTRODUCTION: Studies that compare the impact of different infectious entities of the male reproductive tract (MRT) on the male accessory gland function are controversial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Semen analyses of 71 patients with proven infections of the MRT were compared with the results of 40 healthy non-infected volunteers. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their diagnosis: chronic prostatitis NIH type II (n = 38), chronic epididymitis (n = 12), and chronic urethritis (n = 21). RESULTS: The bacteriological analysis revealed 9 different types of microorganisms, considered to be the etiological agents, isolated in different secretions, including: urine, expressed prostatic secretions, semen and urethral smears: E. Coli (n = 20), Klebsiella (n = 2), Proteus spp. (n = 1), Enterococcus (n = 20), Staphylococcus spp. (n = 1), M. tuberculosis (n = 2), N. gonorrhea (n = 8), Chlamydia tr. (n = 16) and, Ureaplasma urealyticum (n = 1). The infection group had significantly (p < 0.05) lower: semen volume, alpha-glucosidase, fructose, and zinc in seminal plasma and, higher pH than the control group. None of these parameters was sufficiently accurate in the ROC analysis to discriminate between infected and non-infected men. CONCLUSION: Proven bacterial infections of the MRT impact negatively on all the accessory gland function parameters evaluated in semen, suggesting impairment of the secretory capacity of the epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate. These findings were associated with an infectious related significant increase of semen pH. None of the semen parameters evaluated can be suggested as a diagnostic tool for infection.

Brucella melitensis: a rarely suspected cause of infections of genitalia and the lower urinary tract

We examined the clinical presentation and outcome of Brucellar infections of genitalia and the lower urinary tract through a review of the medical records of 10 cases of male patients with brucellar infections of the genitalia and lower urinary tract. The mean age of the patients with brucellosis was 49.2, (median 52, range 15-77 years). Eleven out of 17 patients were rural residents, 15 reported that they might have consumed unpasteurized dairy products) and four reported occupational exposure. Symptoms onset was acute in almost all cases. Scrotal pain, epidedimal swelling and fever were the most common symptoms. The Wright test was positive in 13 patients, while Brucella sp. was isolated from blood cultures in six cases. Only two patients were found with abnormal liver ultrasonography. All patients underwent treatment with doxycycline and aminoglycoside for seven days and doxycycline alone for two months. Most of them responded to antibiotic therapy with rapid regression of symptoms. One patient failed to respond to therapy and presented necrotizing orchitis, as well as abscesses, which required orchectomy. Brucellar infections of the genitalia and lower urinary tract have no specific clinical presentation; the usual laboratory examination is not sufficient to diagnose this kind of infection, therefore it could easily be misdiagnosed. An analytical medical history (including overall dietary habits and recent consumption of non-pasteurized dairy products) could indicate Brucelosis as would the persistence of symptoms despite a one-week antibiotic treatment. In general, patients afflicted by brucellar epididymoorchitis respond to Brucellosis antibiotic therapy, except for some rare cases that present necrotizing orchitis and require surgical treatment.

Isolated tuberculosis of testis.

Isolated epididymo-orchitis is an uncommon presentation of tuberculosis. We report a case of left sided epididymo-orchitis and scrotal involvement due to tuberculosis in a young male patient. The diagnosis was suspected on clinical examination of scrotum and confirmed by FNAC of scrotal and testis. Patient improved after taking antitubercular treatment. Key words: infection, scrotum, treatment.

Diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with acute scrotum

Our aim was to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of C-reactive protein [CRP] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] in patients with acute scrotum. One hundred and twenty patients with an acute scrotum were evaluated and assigned into 3 groups: 46 had acute epididymitis [group 1], 23 had spermatic cord torsion [group 2], and 51 had other noninflammatory causes of acute scrotum. Serum samples of all patients taken at the time of admission were tested for CRP levels and ESR. An at least 4-fold increase in the serum CRP levels was seen in 44 patients [95.6%] in group 1 [mean, 67.77 +/- 47.80 mg/L]. In contrast, only 1 patient in group 2 had a significant increase in serum CRP level [mean, 9.0 +/- 4.90 mg/L]. The patients in group 3 did not experience any significant increase of CRP levels [mean, 7.0 +/- 2.2 mg/L]. The patients with epididymitis had higher CRP and ESR values than others [P <.001; P <.001]. The best cutoffs were 24 mg/L for CRP and 15.5 mm/h for ESR to differentiate between epididymitis and noninflammatory causes of acute scrotum. The sensitivity and specificity were 93.4% and 100% for CRP and 95.6% and 85.1% for ESR, respectively. Based on our findings, serum levels of CRP and ESR can provide helpful information easily and rapidly for differentiation between epididymitis and other causes of acute scrotum. We suggest CRP and ESR be measured before making a decision of surgical exploration

acute scrotum: a review of 40 cases

To determine the relative importance of clinical presentation, laboratory studies, and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute scrotum, and to suggest an effective method of management. Subjects and Forty patients who were hospitalized between January 2002 and December 2002 for acute scrotum were studied with respect to history, physical examination, blood tests, urine analysis including culture, and scrotal ultrasonography with color Doppler study. Epididymitis [n = 24] was the commonest cause of acute scrotum followed by testicular torsion [n = 11], torsion of testicular appendages [n = 4], and idiopathic scrotal edema [n = 1]. Both mean age [40.7 vs. 13.8 years], and average duration of pain at presentation [4.5 days vs. 19.1 h] were higher in patients with epididymitis than in torsion. Onset was usually insidious in epididymitis, sudden in testicular torsion, and variable in torsion of testicular appendages. The majority [87.5%] of patients with epididymitis were managed conservatively. The testis was salvaged in 81.8% of patients with testicular torsion. The accuracy of ultrasonography was only 72.7% in testicular torsion, but was good in epididymitis. Our results show that a careful clinical evaluation, by an experienced examiner, provides the correct diagnosis in acute scrotum rather than ultrasonography. It is of utmost importance to exclude testicular torsion in those who are younger than 16 years and whose pain duration is less than 24 h

Schistosomal epididymitis

Epididymitis is a frequent inflammatory process. It is related to sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections by E. coli, or scrotal trauma. We describe the case of a Caucasian 32-year old man, who presented scrotal pain for 3 months, with difficult managient with medication. Testis was normal; however, the left epididymis was extriely painful and hardened. Following the unsuccessful use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication, a left epididymectomy was performed, with resolution of the pain. The pathological examination showed the presence of chronic inflammatory process associated with eggs of the parasite Schistosoma mansoni in the resected epididymis. Patient evolved without pain in the post-operative period and was medicated with a single dose of oxamniquine after etiologic confirmation.

Escroto agudo en pediatría: evaluación con US y doppler color / US and color doppler US findings in the acute scrotum in children

La tumefacción dolorosa aguda del escroto presenta dificultad diagnóstica. Es necesario diferenciar las patologías quirúrgicas de urgencia, como la torsión testicular, de aquellas que requieren tratamiento médico evitando exploraciones quirúrgicas innecesarias. Se usó prospectivamente ecografía Doppler color para evaluar 36 pacientes con escroto agudo. Usamos el simple criterio de presencia, ausencia o aumento del flujo intra y peritesticular. Los resultados fueron correlacionados con el diagnóstico final establecido por cirugía o el seguimiento clínico. El US Doppler color demostró ausencia de flujo en seis de los siete pacientes con torsión testicular aguda (especificidad: 85,7 por ciento) y aumento del mismo en diez epididimitis y 13 orquiepididimitis (T: 23) (especificidad: 100 por ciento). El US Doppler color es un método seguro, no invasivo, que permite rápidamente evaluar la perfusión del testículo en el escroto agudo. La habilidad para detectar el flujo testicular varía con el equipamiento y la experiencia del operador

Infecçäo aguda do trato urogenital / Acute infection of the genitourinary system

Os autores fazem uma abordagem prática sobre o diagnóstico e o tratamento de pacientes com infeccao aguda do trato urogenital. Säo apresentadas as situaçöes mais comuns relacionadas à infecçäo do trato urinário baixo e do rim, assim como algumas das infecçöes sexualmente transmissíveis. Procurou-se, em cada situaçäo, comentar sobre os agentes etiológicos mais freqüentes, bem como orientar a solicitaçäo de exames subsidiários pertinentes para a confirmaçäo do diagnóstico, para a identificaçäo de complicaçäo ou de fatores predisponentes. Recomendou-se, ainda, a terapia específica mais usada para cada caso, näo só para combater os agentes infecciosos mais também os fatores predisponentes e as complicaçöes

Caso clínico-cirúrgico: torçäo aguda e epididimite testicular / A clinicosurgical case: testicular acute torsion and epididimitis

É relatado um caso de torçäo testicular aguda com extensa necrose isquêmica e os procedimentos diagnósticos e terapêuticos

Doppler color testicular / Testicular colour Doppler

Se describe con algunos ejemplos el valor del Doppler color en la patología escrotal en la cual se remarca, a los fines prácticos, su aplicación sólo para diferenciar inflamación y torción testicular. La presencia o ausencia de flujo es el único criterio tenido en cuenta para establecer el diagnóstico diferencial entre estas dos patologías