Effects of Systemic Treatment with Interferon-alpha2b for Mumps Orchitis

Kim, Do Hun; Lee, Nam Kyu; Park, Young Ho

Abstract

Mumps orchitis occurs in 20 to 35% of cases of mumps in adolescent boys and young men. Spermatogenesis is irreversibly damaged in about 30% of testes involved in mumps orchitis and marked atrophy of the affected testis is the rule but there is no specific treatment. Therefore, we have investigated in a prospective study whether systemic interferon-alpha2B treatment may be considered a causal therapy for patients with mumps orchitis Ten patients with mumps orchitis ( unilateral 8, bilateral 2 ) received systemic treatment with interferon-alpha 2b ( 3xl0' IU per day ) for 7 days. Hormonal levels(LH, FSH, Testosterone, Prolactin, Estradiol) of pre and post-treatment with interferon were normal range. All acute symptoms of mumps orchitis disappeared within 2 to 3 days of treatment with interferon.Within 7 days the volume of the affected, enlarged testis returned to normal. In 3 of 4 patients pretreatment examination revealed asthenospermia, while 3 months after interferon treatment, as well as during the entire followup period normospermia was found. During 3 to 18 months of followup no incidence of testicular atrophy was observed. No severe adverse effects occurred during treatment. We conclude that systemic treatment with lnterferon-alpha2b appears to be highly effective in symptomatic treatment, as well as preventing sterility and testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis. Further investigation on larger populations should be performed to substantiate these results.