Long-term Fluoroquinolone Use Before the Prostate Biopsy May Increase the Risk of Sepsis Caused by Resistant Microorganisms

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of long-term fluoroquinolone treatment before the biopsy in terms of post procedure sepsis. Three-week fluoroquinolone management before the biopsy may lower serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and prevent unnecessary biopsies.MethodsA total of 558 patients were referred to our clinic for transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)–guided prostate biopsy. Of the patients, 205 had received levofloxacin 500 mg once a day for 3 weeks before the biopsy to lower the serum PSA levels (group 1). A total of 353 patients had not received any antibiotics before the procedure (group 2). In terms of the postbiopsy sepsis rate, group 1 and group 2 as well as patients who underwent biopsies in the early period and the latter period of the study were compared.ResultsSepsis was diagnosed in 17 patients (3.0%) after biopsy. Of these patients, 11 (5.4%) and 6 (1.7%) were in group 1 and group 2, respectively (P = .0297, OR: 3.28, 95% CI: 1.10-10.13). Sepsis was diagnosed in 7 patients (1.9%) and 10 patients (5.0%) in the early and the latter period of the study, respectively (P = .0771, OR: 0.38, 95% CI: .13-1.09). Escherichia coli was the causative agent in all patients with a positive culture. In addition, 1 patient also had meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). All of the E. coli isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones, and 55.6% were positive for extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL).ConclusionsLong-term fluoroquinolone use to prevent unnecessary prostate biopsy may result in postbiopsy sepsis caused by fluoroquinolone resistant microorganisms.