CANDIDA EPIDIDYMITIS - NEWLY RECOGNIZED OPPORTUNISTIC EPIDIDYMAL INFECTION

Epididymitis is common, yet it is rarely associated with fungal pathog ens. We report a case of Candida albicans epididymitis in a diabetic w hich was ultimately treated by orchiectomy. Opportunistic infections o f the genitourinary tract in immunosuppressed patients are becoming mo re prevalent; examples include fungal infections in patients with acqu ired immune deficiency syndrome or after organ transplant. The fact th at opportunistic organisms can invade the epididymis and produce infec tion suggests that in cases of persistent epididymitis, which have fai led to respond to conventional therapy, more aggressive diagnostic pro cedures should be considered. Needle aspiration with cultures for fung us and viral organisms should be performed. This is especially true in patients with preexisting chronic illness or an immune compromised st ate.