The Etiology of Idiopathic Epididymitis

Epididymitis in Children: Is Further Investigation Necessary after the First Episode?

“…When no bacteria is detected, particularly in urine, epididymitis is defined as idiopathic [18]. Although samples are obtained directly from the epididymis or the posterior urethra, they are usually sterile.…”

Delayed hypersensitivity in the rabbit after injection of viable "NSU Corynebacteria".

“…The isolation of 'NSU Corynebacteria' from the epididymis of patients with acute epididymitis is evidence that some species are capable of initiating an infection (Furness andothers, 1971a, 1974). However, NSU often follows gonorrhoea and it is possible that, in these circumstances, 'NSU Corynebacteria' which are commensals, can be responsible for a secondary infection of the urethra.…”

“…Rabbits were injected with six strains of viable 'NSU Corynebacteria' (numbers 171EaC1,174EaC1,196EaC,,197EaC.,204C,208Q) isolated from the epididymis of patients with acute epididymitis (Furness andothers, 1971a, 1974). Of the other 63 strains examined, 35 were cultured from the fossa navicularis of normal subjects and 28 from the vagina or urethra of female patients with normal urogenital tracts (Furness and others, 1973).…”

“…'NSU Corynebacteria' are commensals of the normal male and female urogenital tracts (Furness, Kamat, Kaminski, and Seebode, 1973). They are so called because they were first described in association with NSU (Fmrness and , and the term is retained so that they should not be confused with other diphtheroids, which in contrast are easily isolated on commercial media and are well-known commensals.…”

“…Although commonly commensals, 'NSU Corynebacteria' have been isolate in pure culture from the epididymis of patients with acute epididymitis (Furness andothers, 1971a, 1974) and from the bulbous urethra of patients with non-specific urethritis (NSU) (Furness and Csonka, 1966;Furness and others, 1971b). These reports suggest that some strains may cause disease while others are saprophytes.…”