Epididymo-orchitis and testicular abscess due to Nocardia asteroides complex.
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.
Routh
Jonathan C
JC
Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55901, USA. routh.jonathan@mayo.edu
Lischer
Garrett H
GH
Leibovich
Bradley C
BC
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*