investigations

Last reviewed 09/2022

Investigations may include:

• full blood count - leukocytosis
• microbiological work-up depends on the pathomechanism suspected (1,2):
  • in younger men with a medical history of urethral discharge
    • analysis for C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma and N. gonorrhoeae in urethral smears and first voided bladder urine is predominant
  • in older men - mid-stream urine - microscopy, culture and sensitivity
• blood culture
• plain abdominal film - to exclude urinary tract calculi as possible source of infection
• IVU or ultrasound - indicated in young children to exclude urinary tract anomalies, or in adults to exclude bladder outflow obstruction

Reference:

• (1) Ludwig M. Diagnosis and therapy of acute prostatitis, epididymitis and orchitis.Andrologia. 2008 Apr;40(2):76-80.
• (2) Naber KG et al. EAU guidelines for the management of urinary and male genital tract infections. Eur Urol 2001;40:576-588 (updated 2006).