The preventive effect of systemic treatment with interferon alpha-2B for infertility from mumps orchitis

Objective To evaluate the effect of interferon-alpha 2B on mumps orchitis, often caused by postpubertal mumps and which can result in permanent testic ular atrophy. Patients and methods The study included 21 patients with mumps orchitis, tr eated between May 1990 and Tune 1997. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: in group 1, 13 patients received therapy with interferon-alpha 2B (3 x 10(6) IU per day) and group 2 did not, acting as controls. All were evaluated by measurements of testis size, mumps virus titre, hormone level and semen analysis. Results In group 1, the patients' symptoms resolved within 2-3 days and the volume of the testes returned to normal within 11 days; there was no testi cular atrophy in any patient during the follow-up. However, asthenospermia continued to be detected in four patients (unilateral in two, bilateral in two). In group 2, the patients' symptoms resolved within 5-6 days and the v olume of the testes returned to normal within 10 days; testes atrophied in three patients (unilateral in two, bilateral in one) during the follow-up. Asthenospermia continued in four patients (unilateral in two, bilateral in two). Conclusion These results suggest that treatment with systemic interferon-al pha 2B is effective in preventing testicular atrophy when combined with sta ndard symptomatic treatment.