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I had an eighteen core biopsy in March and two days later I began to get uncontrollable chills, a fever and eventually a urinary blockage. I went to the emergency room of a local hospital on the third day and, after urine and blood tests I was admitted with a severe ecoli infection. For the next five days I was on intravenus antibiotics around the clock and a catheter for the urinary blockage. I was on Cipro before the biopsies, but it didn't help. Does anyone know of a treatment before biopsies which will prevent this from happening in the future. I have early stage prostate cancer which was picked up on an earlier round of biopsies and want to be able to follow the progress while on Active Surveillance.
The risk of infection following biopsy procedures has always been there. It is said that the risk has increased dramatically over recent years because of the surge in drug-resistant bacteria. A recent study highlighted this - see Antibiotic-resistant infections associated with prostate biopsy
It is interesting to see one conclusion from the study Men most susceptible to harboring resistant bacteria include those who have taken antibiotics in the year before the procedure ..... Given that you were in Cipro before the biopsy, you would seem to fit that picture.
But, when I read that I wondered - does the taking of the recomennded antibiotic immediately befoe the biopsy procedure lead to a greater isk of infection - seems a daft concept, but......
Some data exists that supports a betadine rectal lavage before biopsy. Also, if the urologist swabs the prostate with betadine right before biopsy, that may help. If you are at high risk, they may start IV antibiotics on you in the hospital before the biopsy.
