title: Epididymo-orchitis and testicular abscess due to Nocardia asteroides complex.
abstract: Nocardia asteroides complex is a rare human pathogen chiefly affecting immunosuppressed patients. We present the sixth case of epididymo-orchitis attributable to this organism. A 78-year-old man presented to the Mayo Clinic with fever and weight loss after being treated with cyclophosphamide and prednisone for an immune-mediated vasculitis. He was found to have a testicular abscess, and orchiectomy was performed. N. asteroides complex was identified on the wound cultures. Sulfa therapy was begun. In previous case reports, this condition carried a 50% mortality rate. Patients who survive seemed to benefit from aggressive surgical debridement and long-term sulfa therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55901, USA. routh.jonathan@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Routh
authors.forename: Garrett H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Lischer
authors.forename: Bradley C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Leibovich
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D000368:Aged; D004823:Epididymitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009617:Nocardia Infections; D009616:Nocardia asteroides; D009920:Orchitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*