Single-dose oral ciprofloxacin versus placebo for prophylaxis during transrectal prostate biopsy

Clinical aspects of antimicrobial prophylaxis for invasive urological procedures

The essential value of antimicrobial prophylaxis is to defend the patient undergoing invasive diagnostic procedures or surgery against infectious complications by reducing the bacterial load. Escherichia coli remains the predominant uropathogen (70-80%) isolated in acute community-acquired uncomplicated infections, followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus (10 to 15%). Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus species, and enterococci infrequently cause uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis. The pathogens traditionally associated with UTI are altering many of their features, particularly because of antimicrobial resistance. Currently, only transurethral resection of prostate and prostate biopsy has been well studied and has high and moderately high levels of evidence in favor of using antibiotic prophylaxis. Other urological interventions have not been well studied. The moderate to low evidence suggests that there is no need for antibiotic prophylaxis in cystoscopy, urodynamic investigations, and extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, whereas the low evidence favors the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for therapeutic ureterorenoscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The scarce data from studies on transurethral resection of bladder tumors cannot provide a definitive indication for antibiotic prophylaxis for this intervention.

The comparison of the influence between two different bowel preparation methods on sepsis after prostate biopsies

Introduction

Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) guided prostate needle biopsy has been performed to diagnose and stage prostate cancer for many years. There are many different bowel preparation protocols to diminish the infectious complications, but there is no standardized consensus among urologists. Therefore, we aimed to assess two different bowel preparation methods on the rate of infectious complications in patients who underwent TRUS–guided prostate biopsy.

Material and methods

A total of 387 cases of TRUS–guided prostate biopsy were included in this retrospective study. All patients received antibiotic prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin (500 mg) twice a day orally for 7 days starting on the day before the biopsy. The patients were divided into two groups according to the bowel preparation method used. Patients (Group 1, n = 164) only received self–administrated phosphate enema) on the morning of the prostate biopsy. Other patients (Group 2, n = 223) received sennasoid a–b laxatives the night before the prostate biopsy. Infectious complications were classified as sepsis, fever (greater than 38°C) without sepsis, and other clinical infections.

Results

Major complications developed in 14 cases (3.8%), including 3 cases (0.8%) of urinary retention, and 11 (3%) infectious complications, all of which were sepsis. There were 3 and 8 cases of urosepsis in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between both Groups regarding to the rates of urosepsis (p = 0.358).

Conclusions

Despite both methods of bowel preparation, sodium phosphate enema or sennasoid a–b calcium laxatives, before TRUS–guided prostate biopsy have similar effect on the rate of urosepsis, so both methods of bowel preparation can be safely used.

Incidence of Urinary Tract Infection Following Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsy at a Tertiary-Care Medical Center in Lebanon

Objective:

To determine the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) following transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy of the prostate (TRUBP) and the bacteriology of these infections.

Design:

Retrospective evaluation of the charts and records of all patients who underwent TRUBP between June 1, 2002, and August 31, 2003.

Setting:

American University of Beirut Medical Center, a tertiary-care center in Lebanon.

Patients:

Two hundred seven patients underwent TRUBP. All received prophylactic antibiotics. One hundred twenty (58%) received ciprofloxacin alone, whereas 87 (42%) received both ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Sixty-one patients (29.5%) had an enema prior to the procedure, whereas 146 (70.5%) did not.

Results:

Thirteen patients (6.3%) were admitted with UTI. All had rigors and fever on admission. Symptoms appeared at a mean of 2.7 days and the mean hospital stay was 9.2 days. The mean duration of antibiotic treatment was 23.2 days. Ten (77%) of the patients had positive bacteriology. Urine cultures were positive in 8 (61.5%) of the patients and blood cultures in 6 (46.2%). All positive cultures grew Escherichia coli resistant to ciprofloxacin, with 5 isolates producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.

Conclusions:

TRUBP continues to be associated with significant infectious complications, especially UTI. Given the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance mainly among the Enterobacteriaceae, antimicrobial prophylaxis practices should be reevaluated and the universal administration of quinolones alone or in combination with aminoglycosides should be reconsidered.

[Antibiotic prophylaxis in urology]

INTRODUCTION

Antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) is used to minimize infectious complications resulting from interventions. Due to high rates of development of bacterial resistance and side effects, the use of antibiotics must be weighed on the basis of high levels of evidence. The main endpoints of urology AP are the prevention of symptomatic urogenital infections, urosepsis and wound infections. The purpose of this review is to bring objectives, principles and recommendations on urology AP according to the latest scientific evidence.

METHODS

We carried out a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library using keywords such as AP, prophylaxis, antibiotics, urological surgery, urogenital surgery and the names of the urologic procedures. The results of studies on the AP for each procedure were classified according to the levels of evidence and grades of recommendation from the European Association of Urology.

RESULTS

There are a number of good quality studies on AP about endoscopic resection of the prostate (TURP), urodynamic studies and transrectal prostate biopsies (trPB). The majority of the studies about other procedures have several limitations (sample size, consistency of definitions, statistics and trial design). Lack of consistency in the definitions of infectious complications does not allow comparison between different studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The AP is evidence-based is indicated only for TURP and trPB. It is desirable to perform randomized, prospective and controlled trials in order to rationalize the use of antibiotics, improve the cost/benefit ratio and reduce bacterial antibiotic resistances.

Aetiology and antibiotic resistance issues regarding urological procedures

There are specific indications in urological procedures [transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB), endoscopic procedures, and all interventions classified as contaminated or dirty] requiring antibiotic prophylaxis. Most postoperative infections are caused by enterococci of the Gram-positive strains and Enterobacteriaceae of the Gram-negative ones. As reported by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), there are increasing numbers of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Most Enterococcus faecium strains are ampicillin-resistant and the Enterobacteriaceae have a high prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers, for which the cephalosporins and penicillins are not drugs of choice. In recent years, there are also increasing numbers of Gram-negative strains that are able to produce carbapenemases and for which the only therapeutic options are gentamicin, tigecycline and colistin. An alternative to these drugs, from a prophylactic point of view, is fosfomycin, an old antibiotic that maintains bactericidal activity against both enterococci and multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Available in an oral formulation as trometamol salt, fosfomycin reaches high plasma and urine concentrations, and is therefore a possible alternative to other drugs both for therapy and urological prophylaxis.

Clinical effectiveness and safety of tazobactam/piperacillin 4.5 g for the prevention of febrile infectious complication after prostate biopsy

We investigated the clinical effectiveness and safety of tazobactam/piperacillin (TAZ/PIPC) in a 1:8 ratio, a β-lactamase inhibitor with penicillin antibiotic, for the prevention of febrile infectious complication after prostate biopsy. Each patient received a single dose of TAZ/PIPC 4.5 g, 30 min before the biopsy in Group 1 or TAZ/PIPC 4.5 g twice, once 30 min before and once after the biopsy (just before discharge or 5 h after the biopsy), in Group 2. Estimation of efficacy was performed within 1-month after prostate biopsy. Clinical diagnosis of febrile infectious complication was based on a body temperature elevation greater than 38 °C. Infectious complication after prostate biopsy was detected in 2.5% (4/160 patients) in Group 1 and in 0.45% (2/442 patients) in Group 2. All of the patients with febrile infectious complication had risk factors: 5 patients had voiding disturbance, 2 patients had diabetes mellitus and 1 patient had steroid dosing. In group 1, 88 patients had at least one risk factor and 72 patients had no risk factors. Of the patients with a risk factor, 4 had febrile infectious complication after prostate biopsy, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. In group 2, 87 patients had at least one risk factor and 255 patients had no risk factors. The patients with a risk factor had febrile infectious complication significantly more frequently than did patients without a risk factor (P = 0.038). Therefore, TAZ/PIPC appears to be effective as preoperative prophylaxis against the occurrence of febrile infectious complication after prostate biopsy.

Prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on rectal swabs and factors affecting resistance to antibiotics in patients undergoing prostate biopsy

Purpose

The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on rectal swabs in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy and the factors affecting resistance to antibiotics were evaluated.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred twenty-three men who underwent TRUS-guided prostate biopsy from November 2011 to December 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Rectal swabs were cultured on MacConkey agar to identify antibiotic-resistant bacteria in rectal flora before TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. All patients were admitted and received intravenous antibiotics before prostate biopsy. Clinical variables including underlying disease, infectious complications, and antibiotics associated with resistance were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors influencing antibiotic resistance.

Results

Of the 233 patients, 161 had positive rectal cultures. Escherichia coli was cultured in 130 (80.7%) and Klebsiella pneumonia in 16 (9.9%). The prevalence of quinolone resistance was 16.8% and the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positivity was 9.3%. A previous history of prostatitis was correlated with quinolone resistance and ESBL positivity (both p=0.001). The factors affecting quinolone resistance in the univariate analysis were a previous history of prostatitis (p=0.003) and previous exposure to antibiotics (p=0.040). Only a previous history of prostatitis was statistically significant in the multivariate analysis (p=0.014). Four patients had infectious complications.

Conclusions

The prevalence of quinolone resistance was 16.8% in rectal swabs performed before TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. A previous history of prostatitis was influential. In patients with a history of prostatitis, selection of prophylactic antibiotics before the biopsy may be reconsidered.

Single Dose of Levofloxacin versus Three Dosages for Prophylaxis in Prostate Biopsy

Transrectal ultrasound-guided core prostate biopsy is a key event in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, transient side events such as local pain, haematuria, haematospermia, dysuria, and rectal bleeding are reported in a large number of patients. Antimicrobial agents lower the incidence of postbiopsy infectious complications. The timing and duration of the regimen and the route of administration remain controversial. We developed a standard prophylactic regimen, in which safety and efficiency were maximized, while costs and variability were minimized. Accordingly we prospectively evaluated 425 consecutive patients, who underwent outpatient transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy after a single dose versus three doses of levofloxacin.

Transperineal biopsy of the prostate--is this the future?

Transperineal prostate biopsy is re-emerging after decades of being an underused alternative to transrectal biopsy guided by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). Factors driving this change include possible improved cancer detection rates, improved sampling of the anteroapical regions of the prostate, a reduced risk of false negative results and a reduced risk of underestimating disease volume and grade. The increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance and patients with diabetes mellitus who are at high risk of sepsis also favours transperineal biopsy as a sterile alternative to standard TRUS-guided biopsy. Factors limiting its use include increased time, training and financial constraints as well as the need for high-grade anaesthesia. Furthermore, the necessary equipment for transperineal biopsy is not widely available. However, the expansion of transperineal biopsy has been propagated by the increase in multiparametric MRI-guided biopsies, which often use the transperineal approach. Used with MRI imaging, transperineal biopsy has led to improvements in cancer detection rates, more-accurate grading of cancer severity and reduced risk of diagnosing clinically insignificant disease. Targeted biopsy under MRI guidance can reduce the number of cores required, reducing the risk of complications from needle biopsy.

Transrectal prostate biopsy

Grayscale transrectal ultrasonographic prostate biopsy using local anesthesia remains the standard approach to the definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer. Careful patient evaluation and preparation are essential to maximize the results and minimize the complications of the biopsy procedure.

Characterization of ciprofloxacin resistant Escherichia coli isolates among men undergoing evaluation for transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy

PURPOSE

We determine the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistant gram-negative bacilli in patients scheduled for transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, characterize the Escherichia coli strains recovered from this patient population, and characterize the mechanisms responsible for β-lactam and ciprofloxacin resistance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rectal swabs from 991 patients were cultured for ciprofloxacin resistant gram-negative bacilli with a selective medium. Recovered E. coli isolates were further analyzed with susceptibility testing, pulsed field gel electrophoresis, plasmid isolation and sequencing.

RESULTS

A total of 193 ciprofloxacin resistant gram-negative bacilli were recovered and of these isolates 167 (87%) were E. coli. The prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistant E. coli in the study population was 17%. Only 38 (26%) of the 149 E. coli isolates that received susceptibility testing were susceptible to ampicillin and ampicillin-sulbactam. In select isolates transferrable plasmids carrying β-lactamase were responsible for the resistance to the β-lactam agents and other nonβ-lactam antimicrobials. Diverse combinations of gyrA and parC mutations associated with fluoroquinolone resistance were identified. Strain typing and plasmid typing indicated that the E. coli isolates did not share a common origin.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the patients in our study 17% carried ciprofloxacin resistant E. coli. Analysis of resistance mechanisms and plasmid analysis along with strain typing demonstrated that this patient population harbored organisms with heterogeneous phenotypic susceptibility, indicating that universal prophylaxis would not provide optimal coverage for patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy.

Positive culture for extended-spectrum β-lactamase during acute prostatitis after prostate biopsy is a risk factor for progression to chronic prostatitis

OBJECTIVE

To analyze whether strains positive for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) affected the clinical course and progression to chronic prostatitis in patients with postbiopsy acute prostatitis.

METHODS

From 2002 to 2011, 3657 patients underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate, and 33 patients with acute prostatitis were enrolled. Acute prostatitis was defined as a fever greater than 38°C, pyuria, and tenderness on digital rectal examination. Urine and blood cultures were tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Laboratory and clinical variables according to the presence of ESBL were analyzed.

RESULTS

Blood or urine culture was positive in 23 patients. The most common strain was Escherichia coli. Sixteen patients showed ESBL-positive and 18 patients were quinolone-resistant. Thirteen of 16 patients with ESBL-positive strains showed quinolone resistance, and 13 of 18 patients with quinolone resistance were ESBL-positive (P = .621). Besides imipenem, all ESBL-positive patients were susceptible to amikacin and were highly susceptible to cefoxitin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. The prevalence of ESBL-positive strains has tended to increase since 2006. Patients with ESBL had higher peak fever, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, and longer duration of fever and hospitalization. The progression rate to chronic prostatitis was significantly higher in ESBL-positive patients (4/16 vs 0/17, P = .044).

CONCLUSION

Since 2006, ESBL strains have been increasing, and the presence of ESBL showed more detrimental effects on the clinical course of the patients, resulting in a higher rate of progression to chronic prostatitis.

Morbidade da biópsia da próstata transretal guiada por ultrassonografia

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência de complicações pós-procedimento nos pacientes submetidos a biópsia prostática transretal guiada por ultrassom no setor de intervenção do Departamento de Diagnóstico por Imagem da Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados, via contato telefônico, 132 pacientes submetidos a biópsia de próstata transretal guiada por ultrassom no período de abril/2011 a junho/2011, seguindo o protocolo padrão do nosso setor. RESULTADOS: As complicações pós-biópsia foram categorizadas em maiores e menores de acordo com a necessidade de avaliação médica adicional. Cinquenta e nove pacientes (61,8%) apresentaram complicações, e desses, grande parte (86,4%) apresentou sintomas leves e autolimitados, considerados menores. Oito pacientes (8,2%) apresentaram complicações maiores, sendo que apenas um deles necessitou de tratamento sob regime de internação hospitalar. A retenção urinária foi a complicação maior mais incidente no nosso estudo. CONCLUSÃO: Corroborando outros estudos da literatura, nosso trabalho demonstrou baixa prevalência de complicações maiores após a biópsia prostática transretal.

Microbiological characteristics of acute prostatitis after transrectal prostate biopsy

Purpose

We aimed to identify microbiological characteristics in patients with acute prostatitis after transrectal prostate biopsy to provide guidance in the review of prevention and treatment protocols.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed in 1,814 cases who underwent prostate biopsy at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital over a 5 year period from 2006 to 2011. Cases in which acute prostatitis occurred within 7 days after the biopsy were investigated. Before starting treatment with antibiotics, sample collections were done for culture of urine and blood. Culture and drug susceptibility was identified by use of a method established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

Results

A total of 1,814 biopsy procedures were performed in 1,541 patients. For 1,246 patients, the procedure was the first biopsy, whereas for 295 patients it was a repeat biopsy. Twenty-one patients (1.36%) were identified as having acute bacterial prostatitis after the biopsy. Fifteen patients (1.2%) had acute prostatitis after the first biopsy, and 6 patients (2.03%) experienced acute prostatitis after a repeat biopsy. Even though the incidence of acute bacterial prostatitis was higher after repeat biopsy than that after the first biopsy, there was no statistically significant intergroup difference in terms of incidence (χ²=1.223, p=0.269). When the collected urine and blood samples were cultured, Escherichia coli was found in samples from 15 patients (71.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae in 3 patients (14.3%), Enterobacter intermedius in 1 patient (4.8%), E. aerogenes in 1 patient (4.8%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 1 patient (4.8%). A fluoroquinolone-resistant strain was confirmed in 5 cases (23.8%) in total. Three cases of E. coli and 1 case of Klebsiella had extended-spectrum β-lactamase activity.

Conclusions

Empirical treatment of acute prostatitis should be done with consideration of geographical prevalence and drug resistance. This study will provide meaningful information for the management of acute prostatitis after transrectal prostate biopsy.

Does intravenous cefuroxime improve the efficacy of ciprofloxacin for preventing infectious complications after transrectal prostate biopsy? A prospective comparative study

Objectives

To compare the frequency of infection after transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy of the prostate (TRUSBP) using prophylactic ciprofloxacin with or without adding cefuroxime.

Patients and methods

Between June 2008 and October 2009, 205 consecutive patients had TRUSBP with the use of oral 500 mg ciprofloxacin twice per day, 2 days before and 3 days after the biopsy (defined as group A). Starting from November 2009 and onwards, 250 consecutive patients had TRUSBP using the same previous protocol of antibiotic prophylaxis but with the addition of intravenous 1.5 g cefuroxime given 30 min before the procedure (defined as group B). The incidence of sepsis after TRUSBP, together with the results of urine and blood cultures and antibiotic sensitivity, were compared between the groups.

Results

Fever after TRUSBP was recorded in 18 of 205 patients in group A (8.8%) and in nine of 250 in group B (3.6%); the difference was significant (P = 0.018). Urine culture was positive in 14 and five of patients in groups A and B, respectively, with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL) Escherichia coli as the most common organism. The blood culture was positive in seven and three patients in groups A and B, respectively, with ESBL E. coli as the most common organism. All patients who had sepsis after TRUSBP sepsis were treated successfully.

Conclusion

Adding a single intravenous injection with 1.5 g of cefuroxime to oral ciprofloxacin significantly reduced the frequency of infectious complications after TRUSBP.

The effectiveness of single-dose fosfomycin as antimicrobial prophylaxis for patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate

OBJECTIVES

It was the aim of this study to evaluate the efficacy of single-dose fosfomycin prophylaxis as an alternative to fluoroquinolone-based prophylaxis in transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate (TRUSBP).

METHODS

We evaluated the records of 620 patients who had undergone TRUSBP from January 2010 to July 2011. Patients received a single dose of 3 g oral fosfomycin or a single dose of 500 mg oral levofloxacin or 500 mg oral ciprofloxacin twice daily administered for 5 days starting 1 day before the prophylaxis procedure. We reviewed all febrile and afebrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) within 1 month after TRUSBP.

RESULTS

Of the 620 patients, 19 (3.0%) developed febrile UTI and 51 (8.2%) developed afebrile UTI after biopsy. Of the 19 patients with febrile UTI, 1/19 (5.2%) received fosfomycin, 4/19 (21%) received levofloxacin and 14/19 (73.6%) received ciprofloxacin for prophylaxis. Of the 51 patients with afebrile UTI, 4/51 (7.8%) received fosfomycin, 8/51 (15.6%) received levofloxacin and 39/51 (76.4%) received ciprofloxacin for prophylaxis. There were a total of 10 fluoroquinolone-resistant infections, and all of them occurred after the ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin prophylaxis and none after fosfomycin prophylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS

The ease of use of fosfomycin, reducing the rate of fluoroquinolone-resistant infections and hospitalizations shows that it would be an alternative and effective drug for antimicrobial prophylaxis in TRUSBP.

The prognostic value of transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy in patients over 70 years old with a prostate specific Antigen (PSA) level ≤ 15 ng/ml and normal digital rectal examination: a 10-year prospective follow-up study of 427 consecutive patients

INTRODUCTION

As a urologist, it is common to review a patient above the age of 70 being referred to a prostate assessments clinic with an elevated PSA. We evaluate the prognosis of these patients clinically as there is no international consensus on the exact PSA cutoff level or a single international guideline as to when these patients should be offered a prostate biopsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

On receiving ethic committee approval, we recruited 427 consecutive patients aged 70 years and above referred with a PSA of ≥ 4 ng/ml, from January 1996 to December 2000, into our study. All patients were assessed, examined with a digital rectal examination (DRE) of the prostate, and a subsequent prostate biopsy. We followed up on their histologic diagnosis for up to 10 years and analyzed their outcome. The main outcome measures were disease-free survival and overall survival, stratified according to the PSA level (≤ 15 vs. >15 ng/ml) and DRE findings (normal vs. sbnormal).

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant difference in the overall survival (P value < 0.011) and disease specific survival (P value < 0.0001) of cancer patients with a PSA was >15 ng/ml and an abnormal DRE. However, in patients with a PSA ≤ 15 ng/ml and normal DRE, the incidence of cancer was low and they had no disease-specific or overall survival benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

A policy of deferring prostate biopsy in patients with a PSA ≤ 15 ng/ml and normal DRE (Group A) would significantly decrease the need of unnecessary prostate biopsies. Within this group, patients did not have any survival advantage compared with those without cancer. We conclude that up to 20% of the prostate biopsies performed in this age group could have been avoided.

Effect of needle size on cancer detection, pain, bleeding and infection in TRUS-guided prostate biopsies: A prospective trial

INTRODUCTION

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies using 18G calibre needles are widely used; most often 12-core tissue samples of the peripheral zone are obtained. Although the diagnostic yield of prostate biopsies is fair, there is still a potential for false negative results, which necessitates repeat biopsies. In an effort to improve the accuracy of prostate biopsies, different sampling schemes have been developed. One strategy has been to increase the number of core biopsies performed on each patient. Another strategy has been to improve the reliability of prostate biopsies using larger calibre needles, thereby increasing the amount of tissue obtained for each core biopsy.

METHODS

After approval by our institutional review board, we prospectively compared two biopsy needle sizes (18G vs. 16G) in relation to prostate cancer diagnosis, pain, bleeding and infection rates on 105 patients. Each patient underwent 6 TRUS-guided prostate biopsies with the standard 18G needle and 6 other biopsies with the experimental 16G needle. To evaluate possible complications related to the use of a larger 16G needle in the experimental group, we compared pain, bleeding and infection rates with a control group of 100 patients who underwent 12 biopsies with a single 18G needle (18G group). Pain, bleeding assessment and infection events were evaluated using patient questionnaires and telephone interviews.

RESULTS

TRUS-guided prostate biopsies using 16G calibre needles did not increase cancer detection or non-malignant pathology rate, including prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and atypical small acinar proliferatio (ASAP). Pain, bleeding and infectious complications were similar in both groups. Infection was defined as temperature above 38°C occurring within 48 hours after the procedure. We identified 4 patients with post-biopsy fever in the experimental (16/18G) group and 4 other patients in the (18G) control group. The post-biopsy infection rate is higher than reported just a few years ago and indicates that quinolone resistant Escherichia coli seems to be more prevalent in our urban setting than previously suspected. Limitations to our study include small group numbers.

CONCLUSION

Larger 16G needles appear to be safe for TRUS-guided prostate biopsies. Further study in a larger, multi-institutional, prospective, randomized manner with 16G needles is warranted to assess the theoretical benefit of larger core biopsies in prostate cancer detection.

Targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis using rectal swab cultures in men undergoing transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy is associated with reduced incidence of postoperative infectious complications and cost of care

PURPOSE

We evaluated targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis in men undergoing transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy based on rectal swab culture results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From July 2010 to March 2011 we studied differences in infectious complications in men who received targeted vs standard empirical ciprofloxacin prophylaxis before transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. Targeted prophylaxis used rectal swab cultures plated on selective media containing ciprofloxacin to identify fluoroquinolone resistant bacteria. Patients with fluoroquinolone susceptible organisms received ciprofloxacin while those with fluoroquinolone resistant organisms received directed antimicrobial prophylaxis. We identified men with infectious complications within 30 days after transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy using the electronic medical record.

RESULTS

A total of 457 men underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, and of these men 112 (24.5%) had rectal swab obtained while 345 (75.5%) did not. Among those who received targeted prophylaxis 22 (19.6%) men had fluoroquinolone resistant organisms. There were no infectious complications in the 112 men who received targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis, while there were 9 cases (including 1 of sepsis) among the 345 on empirical therapy (p=0.12). Fluoroquinolone resistant organisms caused 7 of these infections. The total cost of managing infectious complications in patients in the empirical group was $13,219. The calculated cost of targeted vs empirical prophylaxis per 100 men undergoing transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy was $1,346 vs $5,598, respectively. Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that targeted prophylaxis yielded a cost savings of $4,499 per post-transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy infectious complication averted. Per estimation, 38 men would need to undergo rectal swab before transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy to prevent 1 infectious complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis was associated with a notable decrease in the incidence of infectious complications after transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy caused by fluoroquinolone resistant organisms as well as a decrease in the overall cost of care.

Short term outcomes of prostate biopsy in men tested for cancer by prostate specific antigen: prospective evaluation within ProtecT study

OBJECTIVES

To measure the effect of the adverse events within 35 days of transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy from the perspective of asymptomatic men having prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing; to assess early attitude to re-biopsy; to estimate healthcare resource use associated with adverse events due to biopsy; and to develop a classification scheme for reporting adverse events after prostate biopsy.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study (Prostate Biopsy Effects: ProBE) nested within Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment (ProtecT) study. Participants Between 1999 and 2008, 227,000 community dwelling men aged 50-69 years were identified at 352 practices and invited to counselling about PSA testing. 111,148 attended a nurse led clinic in the community, and 10,297 with PSA concentrations of 3-20 ng/mL were offered biopsy within ProtecT. Between February 2006 and May 2008, 1147/1753 (65%) eligible men (mean age 62.1 years, mean PSA 5.4 ng/mL) having 10 core transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy under antibiotic cover in the context of ProtecT were recruited to the ProBE study.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Purpose designed questionnaire administered at biopsy and 7 and 35 days after the procedure to measure frequency and effect of symptoms related to pain, infection, and bleeding; patients' attitude to repeat biopsy assessed immediately after biopsy and 7 days later; participants' healthcare resource use within 35 days of biopsy evaluated by questionnaire, telephone follow-up, and medical note review; each man's adverse event profile graded according to symptoms and healthcare use.

RESULTS

Pain was reported by 429/984 (43.6%), fever by 172/985 (17.5%), haematuria by 642/976 (65.8%), haematochezia by 356/967 (36.8%), and haemoejaculate by 605/653 (92.6%) men during the 35 days after biopsy. Fewer men rated these symptoms as a major/moderate problem-71/977 (7.3%) for pain, 54/981 (5.5%) for fever, 59/958 (6.2%) for haematuria, 24/951 (2.5%) for haematochezia, and 172/646 (26.6%) for haemoejaculate. Immediately after biopsy, 124/1142 (10.9%, 95% confidence interval 9.2 to 12.8) men reported that they would consider further biopsy a major or moderate problem: seven days after biopsy, this proportion had increased to 213/1085 (19.6%, 17.4% to 22.1%). A negative attitude to repeat biopsy was associated with unfavourable experience after the first biopsy, particularly pain at biopsy (odds ratio 8.2, P<0.001) and symptoms related to infection (7.9, P<0.001) and bleeding (4.2, P<0.001); differences were evident between centres (P<0.001). 119/1147 (10.4%, 8.7% to 12.3%) men reported consultation with a healthcare professional (usually their general practitioner), most commonly for infective symptoms. Complete data for all index symptoms at all time points were available in 851 participants. Symptoms and healthcare use could be used to grade these men as follows: grade 0 (no symptoms/contact) 18 (2.1%, 1.3% to 3.3%); grade 1 (minor problem/no contact) 550 (64.6%, 61.4% to 67.8%); grade 2 (moderate/major problem or contact) 271 (31.8%, 28.8% to 35.1%); grade 3 (hospital admission) 12 (1.4%, 0.8% to 2.4%); and grade 4 (death) 0. Grade of adverse event was associated with an unfavourable attitude to repeat biopsy (Kendall's τ-b ordinal by ordinal 0.29, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study with a high response rate of 89% at 35 days in men undergoing biopsy in the context of a randomised controlled trial has shown that although prostate biopsy is well tolerated by most men, it is associated with significant symptoms in a minority and affects attitudes to repeat biopsy and primary care resource use. These findings will inform men who seek PSA testing for detection of prostate cancer and assist their physicians during counselling about the potential risks and effect of biopsy. Variability in the adverse event profile between centres suggests that patients' outcomes could be improved and healthcare use reduced with more effective administration of local anaesthetic and antibiotics. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN20141297.

Infectious complications and hospital admissions after prostate biopsy in a European randomized trial

BACKGROUND

The complications of prostate needle biopsy (PNB) are important when considering the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening. Studies from the United States and Canada have recently reported increasing numbers of hospitalizations for infectious complications after PNB.

OBJECTIVE

Examine the risk of infectious complications and hospital admissions after PNB in a European screening trial.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

From 1993 to 2011, 10 474 PNBs were performed in the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (Rotterdam section). Prophylaxis originally consisted of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Beginning in 2008, it was changed to ciprofloxacin.

MEASUREMENTS

Febrile complications and hospital admissions were assessed by questionnaires 2 wk after PNB. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for biopsy-related fever and hospital admission.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Fever and hospital admission were reported on 392 of 9241 questionnaires (4.2%) and 78 of 9198 questionnaires (0.8%), respectively. Although most fevers were managed on an outpatient basis, 81% of hospital admissions were for infection. Of the 56 available blood cultures, 34 were positive with Escherichia coli as the predominant organism. On multivariable analysis, prostate enlargement and diabetes were significantly associated with an increased risk of fever after PNB, whereas later year of biopsy was the only factor significantly associated with an increased risk of hospital admission.

CONCLUSIONS

In a European screening trial, <5% PNBs resulted in febrile complications. Significant risk factors included diabetes and prostatic enlargement. Although most fevers were managed on an outpatient basis, infection remained the leading cause of hospital admission after PNB. Consistent with prior international reports, the frequency of hospital admissions after PNB significantly increased over time. Nevertheless, the absolute frequency of hospital admissions related to PNB was low and should not dissuade healthy men who would benefit from early prostate cancer diagnosis from undergoing biopsy when clinically indicated.

Complications after prostate biopsy: data from SEER-Medicare

PURPOSE

More than 1 million prostate biopsies are performed annually among Medicare beneficiaries. We determined the risk of serious complications requiring hospitalization. We hypothesized that with emerging multidrug resistant organisms there may be an increasing risk of infectious complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a 5% random sample of Medicare participants in SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) regions from 1991 to 2007 we compared 30-day hospitalization rates and ICD-9 primary diagnosis codes for admissions between 17,472 men who underwent prostate biopsy and a random sample of 134,977 controls. Multivariate logistic and Poisson regression were used to examine the risk and predictors of serious infectious and noninfectious complications with time.

RESULTS

The 30-day hospitalization rate was 6.9% within 30 days of prostate biopsy, which was substantially higher than the 2.7% in the control population. After adjusting for age, race, SEER region, year and comorbidities prostate biopsy was associated with a 2.65-fold (95% CI 2.47-2.84) increased risk of hospitalization within 30 days compared to the control population (p <0.0001). The risk of infectious complications requiring hospitalization after biopsy was significantly greater in more recent years (p(trend) = 0.001). Among men undergoing biopsy, later year, nonwhite race and higher comorbidity scores were significantly associated with an increased risk of infectious complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of hospitalization within 30 days of prostate biopsy was significantly higher than in a control population. Infectious complications after prostate biopsy have increased in recent years while the rate of serious noninfectious complications is relatively stable. Careful patient selection for prostate biopsy is essential to minimize the potential harms.

Selective detection of histologically aggressive prostate cancer: an Early Detection Research Network Prediction model to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies with validation in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial

BACKGROUND

Limited survival benefit and excess treatment because of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in randomized trials suggests a need for more restricted selection of prostate biopsy candidates by discerning risk of histologically aggressive versus indolent cancer before biopsy.

METHODS

Subjects undergoing first prostate biopsy enrolled in a multicenter, prospective cohort of the National Cancer Institute Early Detection Research Network (N = 635) were analyzed to develop a model for predicting histologically aggressive prostate cancers. The control arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (N = 3833) was used to validate the generalization of the predictive model.

RESULTS

The Early Detection Research Network cohort was comprised of men among whom 57% had no cancer, 14% had indolent cancer, and 29% had aggressive cancer. Age, body mass index, family history of prostate cancer, abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE), and PSA density (PSAD) were associated with aggressive cancer (all P < .001). The Early Detection Research Network model outperformed PSA alone in predicting aggressive cancer (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.81 vs 0.71, P < .01). Model validation in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial cohort accurately identified men at low (<10%) risk of aggressive cancer for whom biopsy could be averted (AUC = 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.80). Under criteria from the Early Detection Research Network model, prostate biopsy can be restricted to men with PSAD >0.1 ng/mL/cc or abnormal DRE. When PSAD is <0.1 ng/mL/cc, family history or obesity can identify biopsy candidates.

CONCLUSIONS

A predictive model incorporating age, family history, obesity, PSAD, and DRE elucidates criteria whereby ¼ of prostate biopsies can be averted while retaining high sensitivity in detecting aggressive prostate cancer.

Fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli in intestinal flora of patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy--should we reassess our practices for antibiotic prophylaxis?

Although the estimate of the incidence of sepsis following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSPB) is low, fluoroquinolone-resistant infections after prostate biopsy are being increasingly noted. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of faecal carriage of fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli strains before TRUSPB and at evaluating potential predisposing risk factors. The incidence of sepsis after prostate biopsy was determined, and our routine practice for antibiotic prophylaxis for TRUSPB was evaluated. A prospective study was conducted in 342 consecutive patients undergoing prostate biopsy between December 2009 and July 2010. Before TRUSPB, a rectal swab was cultured. The correlation between the presence of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains and plausible risk factors was investigated by the use of a questionnaire. Of the 236 patients included, 22.0% (52/236) harboured ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli strains. The use of fluoroquinolones in the 6 months before biopsy was associated with an increased risk of faecal carriage of fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli strains (p <0.01). Faecal carriage of fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli strains was an important risk factor for infectious complications after TRUSPB (p <0.01). In conclusion, a significant number of patients have faecal carriage of fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli strains (22.0%) before TRUSPB. The use of fluoroquinolones in the previous 6 months before biopsy is a risk factor for faecal carriage of fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli strains and for infectious complications after TRUSPB. Hence, the universal administration of fluoroquinolones should be reconsidered.