Epididymoorchitis due to Brucella melitensis: review of 19 patients.

INTRODUCTION

We describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and long-term outcome of 19 patients with Brucella epididymoorchitis treated at the Department of Urology.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Between 1998 and 2005, a total of 19 cases with epididymoorchitis due to Brucella melitensis were diagnosed at our hospital. The diagnosis of Brucella was made by isolating Brucella species from blood culture or epididymal aspiration or by standard tube agglutination testing and slide agglutination testing together with clinical findings.

RESULTS

Seven cases (36.8%) had undulant fever. Brucella species was isolated from blood cultures in 11 patients and from epididymal aspiration in 3 patients. Rose Bengal tests were positive in all patients. Total recovery was obtained in 12 cases with a 6-week treatment. Five patients (26.3%) did not respond to therapy and another 2 (10.5%) relapsed.

CONCLUSIONS

Brucella orchitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of scrotal pathologies where Brucella is endemic.