In acute epididymitis among men under 35, which organism is most commonly implicated?

In acute epididymitis among men under 35, which organism is most commonly implicated?

• A. Mumps virus
• B. Klebsiella
• C. Chlamydia trachomatis
• D. E. coli

Answer: (C)

In young, sexually active men with acute epididymitis, the infection is most often due to a sexually transmitted organism that ascends from the urethra to the epididymis. Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequent cause of nongonococcal epididymitis in this age group, so it is the best choice here. Chlamydia is common in this population and often presents with concurrent urethritis, fitting the typical clinical scenario of acute epididymitis in men under 35. Mumps can cause epididymo-orchitis, but it’s a viral cause that’s more associated with unvaccinated or particular outbreaks and is not the leading cause in this age group. Klebsiella and E. coli are more often implicated in older men or those with urinary tract abnormalities or instrumentation, reflecting different risk factors and infection patterns than those seen in younger patients.

In young, sexually active men with acute epididymitis, the infection is most often due to a sexually transmitted organism that ascends from the urethra to the epididymis. Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequent cause of nongonococcal epididymitis in this age group, so it is the best choice here. Chlamydia is common in this population and often presents with concurrent urethritis, fitting the typical clinical scenario of acute epididymitis in men under 35.

Mumps can cause epididymo-orchitis, but it’s a viral cause that’s more associated with unvaccinated or particular outbreaks and is not the leading cause in this age group. Klebsiella and E. coli are more often implicated in older men or those with urinary tract abnormalities or instrumentation, reflecting different risk factors and infection patterns than those seen in younger patients.