[The diagnostic value of ejaculate cultures in acute unspecific epidiymitis (author's transl)]

Bacteriological cultures of the ejaculates of 28 patients with acute unspecific epididymitis yielded in 6 cases growth of organisms which were considered to be the cause of the disease. Tests with conventional clinical antibiotics showed organism resistance in half of these cases. Because of possible contamination of the ejaculate with organisms in the urethra and in the preputial area, the results of bacteriological cultures of the ejaculate must be evaluated critically. But a bacteriological ejaculate culture should be carried out in all cases of acute epididymitis at the first consultation so that the antibiotic treatment can be begun immediately afterwards with a tetracycline preparation. If the cultures prove to be tetracycline resistant an appropriate antibiotic can then be substituted.