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Systemic treatment with interferon-alpha 2B: an effective method to prevent sterility after bilateral mumps orchitis
1Department of Urology, Bundeswehrzentralkrankenhaus Koblenz, University of Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.
Abstract:
In men orchitis represents the most common complication of mumps infection and occurs in 5 to 37% of this population. Bilateral manifestation is observed in 16 to 65% of the patients. The most important danger is the risk of testicular atrophy which results in sterility. Four patients with bilateral mumps orchitis received systemic treatment with interferon-alpha 2B (3 x 10(6) IU per day) for 7 days. All acute symptoms of mumps orchitis disappeared within 2 to 4 days of hospitalization. During 6 to 15 months of followup no incidence of testicular atrophy was observed. In 3 of 4 patients pre-treatment examination revealed subfertility (oligoasthenospermia), while 2 to 4 months after interferon treatment, as well as during the entire followup period normospermia was found. No severe adverse effects occurred during treatment. The flu-like symptoms could be prevented by concomitant administration of paracetamol (500 mg. 3 times a day). Systemic treatment with interferon-alpha 2B appears to be highly effective in preventing sterility and testicular atrophy after bilateral mumps orchitis. Further investigations involving larger populations should be performed to establish the present promising results.
Insights
Systemic interferon-alpha 2B treatment effectively resolved mumps orchitis symptoms and prevented testicular atrophy in men. This approach also improved fertility, showing promise for managing this common mumps complication.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Andrology
Background:
- Mumps orchitis is a common complication in adult males, potentially leading to testicular atrophy and sterility.
- Bilateral mumps orchitis affects a significant percentage of infected males, increasing the risk of infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of systemic interferon-alpha 2B in treating bilateral mumps orchitis.
- To assess the impact of interferon-alpha 2B on preventing testicular atrophy and restoring fertility.
Main Methods:
- Four male patients with bilateral mumps orchitis received systemic interferon-alpha 2B (3 x 10^6 IU/day) for 7 days.
- Patients were monitored for symptom resolution, testicular atrophy, and seminal parameters (sperm count, motility) during a 6-15 month follow-up period.
Main Results:
- All acute orchitis symptoms resolved within 2-4 days of treatment.
- No testicular atrophy was observed during the follow-up period.
- Subfertility (oligoasthenospermia) in three patients normalized to normospermia within 2-4 months post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- Systemic interferon-alpha 2B is a promising treatment for bilateral mumps orchitis, effectively preventing testicular atrophy and sterility.
- Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings and establish interferon-alpha 2B as a standard therapy.