Acute epididymo-orchitis from brucellosis melitensis in Australia

BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Jul 10;12(7):e230007. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2019-230007.

Abstract

Brucellosis epididymo-orchitis (BEO) is extremely rare in non-endemic areas such as Australia. While epididymo-orchitis is relatively common in adolescent men, when presented with a significant travel history, consideration should be given to rare causes such as this. Here, we present a case of BEO in a young 18-year-old man who recently migrated from Greece, with symptoms of acute scrotal pain, swelling and persistent fever. Brucella melitensis was isolated in the blood culture and confirmed with PCR. We suspect transmission was related to ingestion of unpasteurised goat dairy products. He made a full recovery after 7 days of intravenous gentamicin and 6 weeks of oral doxycycline. BEO should be considered in those who present with acute scrotal pain and fever after a recent history of travel to or from a brucellosis- endemic area.

Keywords: infections; infectious diseases; ultrasonography; urological surgery; urology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Australia
  • Brucella melitensis / isolation & purification*
  • Brucellosis / complications*
  • Brucellosis / diagnosis*
  • Brucellosis / drug therapy
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Emigrants and Immigrants
  • Epididymitis / diagnosis
  • Epididymitis / drug therapy
  • Epididymitis / microbiology*
  • Gentamicins / therapeutic use
  • Greece / ethnology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Orchitis / diagnosis
  • Orchitis / drug therapy
  • Orchitis / microbiology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Gentamicins
  • Doxycycline