Opportunistic infections of the testis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

The testes of an autopsy sample of 56 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and systemic opportunistic infections were studied for the presence and type of testicular infection. Light-microscopic evidence of opportunistic organisms (cytomegalovirus, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, and Toxoplasma) was present in 22 cases (39%). Based on the prevalence and histologic features of the testicular infections and the biological characteristics of the specific organisms, the possible sexual transmission of opportunistic organisms in AIDS is discussed.