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. 2022 May 21;37:4–7. doi: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2022.05.006

Table 1.

Previously reported cases of epididymo-orchitis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum.

Reference Country Age Clinical manifestation Underlying condition Pathology culture/serology Treatment Outcome
Schuster et al., 2000 [12] USA 70 Left testicular swelling for 2 weeks Not informed 3.5 x 2.5 × 4.5 cm mass, caseating granulomas in microscopy, GMS stain positive for budding yeast suggestive of Histoplama Negative culture from testicular tissue; serology 1:8 by complement fixation (CF) (positive) Left radical orchiectomy followed by oral Itraconazole 200 mg daily for 6 months Improved
Kauffman et al., 1980 [13] USA 42 Right scrotal swelling for 2 weeks; fever, chills, pleuritic chest pain, nonproductive cough Not informed Epididymis replaced by a granulomatous mass showing caseating granulomas containing budding yeasts Serology by CF 1:32 Surgical treatment Improved
Kauffman et al., 1980 [13] USA 27 Left scrotal swelling for several weeks Not informed Epididymis filled with purulent material; caseating granulomas on GMS staining, testicle not involved Serology by CF 1:16. Cultures of urine and abscess material negative Incision and drainage of abscess Lost from follow-up
Monroe et al., 1974 [14] USA 69 Swollen left testis Not informed Left testicular abscess and granuloma. GMS stain of testicular tissue possitive for Histoplasma Postmortem adrenal culture positive for Histoplasma Left radical orchiectomy Deceased
Tichindelean et al., 2009 [15] USA 46 Scrotal swelling and pain for 9 months, then weight loss, fatigue, fever AIDS Testicle 6.5 x 4.5 × 3.2 cm, epididymis 3 x 1.8 × 1 cm, GMS stain of testes showed granuloma with intracellular yeasts Urine histoplasma antigen 9.9 units by EIA (positive), BAL culture grew H. capsulatum Left radical orchiectomy, intravenous amphotericin B 0.7 mg/kg for 2 weeks + itraconazole 200 mg twice daily Improved
Randhawa et al., 1995 [16] India 55 Intermittent low-grade fever, cough with expectoration and weight-loss. Testicular lump for 2 years. Pulmonary tuberculosis Epididymitis, non-caseating granulomas, typical budding yeast forms in giant cells or interstitially. H. capsulatum isolated from semen culture. Negative serology Epidymectomy and 1.5 yrs of amphotericin B therapy Improved
Boone et al., 1969 [17] USA 50 Right lower quadrant pain; testicular pain and swelling associated with some haematuria, fever, anorexia and weight-loss. History of mild essential HTN Biopsy from epididymis showed intercellular yeast forms compatible with H. capsulatum sputum and urine culture yielded H. capsulatum Amphotericin B treatment for 30 months Improved
Baig et al., 2011 [18] India 37 Scrotal pain and swelling; high-grade fever of 1 week duration, and diarrhoea Renal transplant recipient Histopatological examination of epididymal and prostate tissues showed the presence of histoplasmosis Pus culture from retrotrigonal abscess was positive for H. capsulatum. Urine antigen - negative Treated with itraconazole for 6 months Deceased due to unknown cause of massive upper genitourinary bleeding 6 months later
Kahn et al.*, 1992 (presented at VIII international conference on aids/iii std world congress, amsterdam, july 19–24, 1992; 8: 93) [11] USA 35 Swelling of left testis and left cheek ulcer Not informed Biopsy specimen from orchiectomy positive for H. capsulatum Not informed Not informed Not informed
Plazola-Hernández et al., 2020 [19] Mexico 22 Solid adherent mass in posterosuperior region of the left testis Not informed 5 x 5 × 2.5 cm left testis and a 3.5 x 2 × 2 cm nodule, with a dark brown, irregular surface of rubbery consistency. Histopathology: fungal structures suggestive of H. capsulatum Not performed Left testis simple orchiectomy Not informed
Botero-García et al., 2017 [20] Colombia 38 Left testicular pain, swelling, erythema and fever for 1 month Previously healthy histopathological analysis: Hematoxylin & eosin and PAS staining showed necrotizing granulomatous epididymo-orchitis with small (2–4 μm) oval buds Positive sperm culture for H. capsulatum; positive molecular characterization Left orchiectomy +200 mg itraconazole every 12 h for 6 months Improved
Sanha et al., 2022 [present paper] Brazil 66 Enlarged and hardened right testis AIDS Histopathological examination of testicular liquid under GMS stain: Presence of budding yeasts compatible with Histoplasma sp. Not performed Right orchiecromy Deceased

Legend: BAL, Bronchoalveolar Lavage; CF, Complement Fixation; EIA; Enzyme immunoassay; GMS, Grocot-Gomori methenamine silver; PAS, Periodic Acid-Schiff.