[Antibiotic prophylaxis for transrectal prostate biopsy : In the context of restricted indications for fluoroquinolones and antibiotic stewardship].

Background: Transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB) is the gold standard for prostate cancer diagnosis and among the most common urological interventions. Short-term antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) is recommended for TRPB. Fluoroquinolone-PAP as standard of care needs to be revaluated due to the restrictions on the use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze clinical practice of PAP for TRPB with focus on infectious complications and potential differences between fluoroquinolone-PAP and cotrimoxazole-PAP.

Methods: We performed a retrospective monocentric study of clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with TRPB between 3 January 2019 and 28 January 2021.

Results: A total of 508 men were included; median age was 68 years. In all, 55.9% of our cohort received cotrimoxazole-PAP and 40.0% fluoroquinolone-PAP. Postinterventional complications occurred in 5.5%, of those 50.0% were infectious complications. Complication rate did not differ between patients with fluoroquinolone-PAP and cotrimoxazole-PAP. Urinary cultures in case of postinterventional complications yielded pathogens with antimicrobial resistance against the used PAP substance indicating selection of resistant bacteria.

Conclusion: Cotrimoxazole-PAP for TRPB is not associated with an increase of infectious complications compared to fluoroquinolone-PAP. Cultures obtained prior to TRPB to identify antimicrobial resistance facilitate targeted PAP and therefore can reduce complications.