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RESIDENT’S CORNER

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

William H. Carlson, David G. Bell, Joseph G. Lawen, Ricardo A. Rendon

Department of Urology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Address correspondence to Dr. Ricardo A. Rendon, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Room 210, 5-South, Victoria Building, 1278 Tower Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9 Canada

Canadian Journal of Urology 2010, 17(2), 5135-5137.

Abstract

Three male physicians underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies for elevated prostate-specific antigen levels or irregular digital rectal exam fi ndings. 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.

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