[Initial therapy of acute unilateral epididymitis using ofloxacin. I. Clinical and microbiological findings].

In a prospective study, 70 men suffering from uncomplicated acute unilateral epididymitis were treated initially with 2 x 200 mg ofloxacin p.o. per day for 14 days. Patients were reexamined at the end of therapy and again after 6 and 12 weeks. Patients were retreated when the pathogens had not been eliminated. Aetiologically epididymitis was caused in one-third of cases each by C. trachomatis (n = 20) and common urinary tract pathogens (n = 20); in the remaining one-third we found N. gonorrhoeae (n = 1). U. urealyticum (n = 3), or no pathogens (n = 26). At the first check-up examination, in 64/70 patients no pathogens were found. Relevant bacteria were still detected in 6 patients: C. trachomatis in 5 and E. aerogenes in 1. After 12 weeks, infection still persisted in 3 patients (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, enterococci). In vitro the microorganisms were invariably sensitive to ofloxacin. Due to abscess formation, surgical intervention became necessary in 6 patients. In 3 of these cases the causative agent was C. trachomatis. Regardless of the aetiology, after 12 weeks, in 20% of our patients the epididymis was still infiltrated and 14% complained of persistent symptoms.