title: Anaerobic septicemia after transrectal prostatic biopsy.
abstract: Transrectal biopsy of the prostate resulted in anaerobic septicemia in two patients, despite parenteral gentamicin sulfate prophylaxis. Bacteroides fragilis sepsis developed subacutely in one patient having a postbiopsy pelvic abscess. Clostridium perfringens sepsis occurred fulminantly in another patient 24 hours after biopsy of a gland extensively involved with adenocarcinoma. These cases indicate a potential hazard of sepsis due to anaerobic contamination with rectal microflora at the time of transrectal prostatic biopsy and the futility of prophylaxis directed only at aerobic bacteria.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D003016:Clostridium perfringens; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents