Role of interferon-alpha-2B in prevention of testicular atrophy with unilateral mumps orchitis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of intravenously administered interferon-alpha-2B for the prevention of testicular atrophy in postpubertal men with mumps orchitis.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with mumps orchitis were evaluated. The patients were hospitalized, and 3 x 1,000,000 IU intravenous interferon-alpha-2B was administered daily for a total of 7 days. All patients were evaluated by testicular biopsy on the 12th month after interferon treatment.


RESULTS
Biopsy results demonstrated total atrophy of the seminiferous tubules in seven (38.8%), 10% atrophy in three (16.6%), and no apparent histopathologic alterations except an arrest in spermatogenesis in eight (44.6%) testes.


CONCLUSIONS
Systematic treatment with interferon-alpha-2B does not seem completely effective in preventing testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis. Further investigations involving larger populations are needed.
Yeniyol
C O
CO
Department of Urology, SSK Izmir Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
Sorguc
S
S
Minareci
S
S
Ayder
A R
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001284:Atrophy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009107:Mumps / Q000150:complications*; D009920:Orchitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins