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Medical Author:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Medical Editor:

Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University.

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The cause of epididymitis is usually a bacterial infection. The bacteria usually get to the epididymis by moving back through (retrograde) the urethra, prostate, vas deferens into the epididymis. The responsible bacteria are usually identified in about 80% of cases.

Two main groups of organisms cause most cases of epididymitis: sexually transmitted organisms and coliforms (organisms that commonly live in the intestines).

• In men younger than about 39 years of age, the causes are usually the same organisms that cause the sexually transmitted diseases of chlamydia (responsible for nearly 50%-60% of cases) and gonorrhea. The bacterial species are Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea, respectively.
  
  
• In those older than 39 years of age, the causes are usually coliforms, which are bacteria (such as Escherichia coli) that live in the intestines. These organisms also frequently cause bladder infections. Any age of men who participate in anal intercourse are more likely to get infected with E. coli or other fecal bacteria. Epididymitis is rarely caused by fungi or Mycobacterium spp.
  
  
• Chemical epididymitis (rare) is inflammation caused by the retrograde (backward) flow of urine when exercising or having sex with a full bladder.
  
  
• Amiodarone (Nexterone), a frequently used heart medication, occasionally causes inflammation of the epididymis.
  
  
• Viral infections (including mumps), mainly in the pediatric population.

Must Read Articles Related to Testicle Infection (Epididymitis)

Blood in the Urine Blood in the urine is called hematuria. Hematuria may be caused by infection, inflammation, or injury to the urinary system. Treatment of hematuria depends upon...learn more >>

Mumps Mumps is a disease, usually of children, caused by a virus. With mumps, your salivary glands swell. Symptoms and signs include fever, headache, gland swelling, ...learn more >>

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most common infectious diseases in the United States. STDs can be spread through any type of sexual activity ...learn more >>

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