Fatma Frikha MD, Emna BahloulMD, Abderrahmen Masmoudi, Ph.D, Madiha Mseddi, ph.D Meriem Amouri, Ph.DHamida Turki, Ph.D
Penile erysipelas is rarely described and not well characterized. Therefore we aim to describe
the clinical characteristics, and risk factors of this erysipelas type.
Methods: a retrospective study of all clinically diagnosed cases of penile erysipelas during 18 years. For each
patient, epidemiologic, clinical and therapeutic profiles were reported.
Results: fourteen cases of penile erysipelas were diagnosed (0.67% of all erysipelas patients). Mean age was 49
years. All patients had erythema, edema and pain in the penile region. Scrotal involvement was seen in 3 cases.
Only one patient had phlyctenular lesions. The inguinal lymph nodes were enlarged bilaterally and painful
on palpation in 13 cases (93%). This cellulitis was a consequence of balanitis due to incomplete circumcision
(2 cases), to sexual trauma (2 cases), direct trauma (2 cases), folliculitis (1 case) and inguinal intertrigo (1
case). Antibiotics were sufficient to obtain recovery in 13 cases. One of the patients, developed gangrene and
underwent surgical operation.
Conclusion: Penile erysipelas looks to be favored by poorly done circumcision and micro trauma of the penis.
Appropriate antibiotics must be administrated as soon as possible to prevent evolution into gangrene.
Keywords: Erysipelas, Cellulitis, erysipelas penis, incomplete circumcision, antibiotics