Urethritis, Epidydimitis, Orchitis, Prostatitis

Abstract Urethritis is a clinical syndrome generally characterized by urethral discharge and dysuria. It may be complicated by epididymitis and orchitis, which are also discussed in this chapter. The pathognomonic laboratory finding in urethritis is an increased number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) on the gram stain of a urethral smear. Some patients have increased PMNs on urethral smear but lack symptoms of infection, so some cases are considered asymptomatic. Urethritis is almost always sexually acquired, but occasionally it derives from coliform bacteria or noninfectious causes.