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Multi-drug resistant E.coli urosepsis in physicians following transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies - three cases including one death

Carlson H. William ; Bell G. David ; Lawen G. Joseph ; Rendon A. Ricardo ; Department of Urology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

ARTICLE

Apr 2010 (Vol. 17, Issue 2, Pages( 5135 - 5137)

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Three male physicians underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies for elevated prostate-specific antigen levels or irregular digital rectal exam findings. All three of these patients developed urosepsis secondary to multi-drug resistant organisms despite antibiotic prophylaxis. There are increasing reports of infectious complications following prostate biopsy caused by multi-drug resistant organisms. These cases highlight the potentially lethal risks to healthcare workers who are more likely to harbor multi-drug resistant organisms than the general population. Further research into preoperative assessment and appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis in all potentially high risk patients is warranted.