Bacteriuria in patients with stented ureters: predictors of infection in patients presenting to the hospital and when not to treat.

PURPOSE: Patients with ureteric stents have symptoms that overlap with infection symptoms. Thus, clinicians unnecessarily give antibiotics to stented patients with bacteriuria despite guidelines. In stented patients, little is known about risk factors for developing bacteriuria or urosepsis. The objectives were to identify the frequency and risk factors for developing bacteriuria and urosepsis in patients with stents. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed patients with ureteric stents placed or exchanged over 1 year. We examined associations between bacteriuria or urosepsis and host risk factors. Univariable and multivariable logistic analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of 286 patients (mean age: 57.2 years), 167 (58.4%) were male. The main stent indications were stone, stricture, cancer and extrinsic compression. The median stented period was 61 days. The frequency of bacteriuria was 59/286 (21%). ASA status 3 and 4 had 5 times the odds of having bacteriuria relative to ASA status 1. Stent duration > 2 months had 5.5 times the odds relative to ≤ 2 months. Urosepsis was infrequent, 13/286 (4.5%). Five patients had bacteraemia. A stent duration over 2 months had nearly 6 times the odds of urosepsis. CONCLUSION: ASA status higher than 2 and stent time greater than 2 months raise the odds of developing bacteriuria. A stent duration longer than 2 months was the only predictor of urosepsis. Though 21% of patients had bacteriuria, 4.5% had urosepsis. Hence, bacteriuria without sepsis should not be treated with antibiotics, thus aiding antimicrobial stewardship.

Ethnic differences in prostate cancer presentation: a time for testing advocacy.

PURPOSE: It is recognised that there are ethnic variations in prostate cancer (PCa) epidemiology, affecting outcomes. South Asians (SA) are less likely to be diagnosed with PCa than others, although recent evidence shows PCa is rising amongst SA. This study examines the differences between ethnicities in PCa presentation, progression risk and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing use. METHODS: This retrospective study is on biopsy-diagnosed PCa patients from a multi-ethnic area in London. We grouped ethnicities as SA, White, Black and others, compared presenting symptoms, PSA, Gleason score (GS), and clinical stage, and estimated the D'Amico risk across ethnicities. We also evaluated if the presentation was due to symptoms or an elevated PSA. RESULTS: We studied 1176 patients with biopsy-proven PCa. Black patients were diagnosed about 3 years before others (65 ± 8.8 years, p = < 0.001). There was no significant difference between ethnicities in presenting PSAs. At presentation, 65-71% were in the high-risk D'Amico category across all ethnicities. SA were least likely to have PSA test-detected cancers (38%, p = 0.001) and had the highest proportion with advanced GS (30.6%). There was no significant difference in the risk of disease progression between groups. CONCLUSION: Black men were diagnosed youngest. SA had the highest proportion with advanced GS. Most ethnicities had a high risk of progression. SA had the least PSA test-detected cases. The significance of the study lies in understanding ethnic variations in PCa, which could direct targeted prevention and management. We recommend further ethnicity studies and interventions encouraging SA men to embrace PSA testing.

Defining a national reference level for intraoperative radiation exposure in urological procedures: FLASH, a retrospective multicentre UK study.

OBJECTIVES: To define reference levels for intraoperative radiation during stent insertion, ureteroscopy (URS), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL); to identify variation in radiation exposure between individual hospitals across the UK, between low- and high-volume PCNL centres, and between grade of lead surgeon. PATIENTS/SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In all, 3651 patients were identified retrospectively across 12 UK hospitals over a 1-year period. Radiation exposure was defined in terms of total fluoroscopy time (FT) and dose area product (DAP). The 75th percentiles of median values for each hospital were used to define reference levels for each procedure. RESULTS: Reference levels: ureteric stent insertion/replacement (DAP, 2.3 Gy/cm2 ; FT, 49 s); URS (DAP, 2.8 Gy/cm2 ; FT, 57 s); PCNL (DAP, 24.1 Gy/cm2 ; FT, 431 s). Significant variations in the median DAP and FT were identified between individual centres for all procedures (P < 0.001). For PCNL, there was a statistically significant difference between DAP for low- (<50 cases/annum) and high-volume centres (>50 cases/annum), at a median DAP of 15.0 Gy/cm2 vs 4.2 Gy/cm2 (P < 0.001). For stent procedures, the median DAP and FT differed significantly between grade of lead surgeon: Consultant (DAP, 2.17 Gy/cm2 ; FT, 41 s) vs Registrar (DAP, 1.38 Gy/cm2 ; FT, 26 s; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This multicentre study is the largest of its kind. It provides the first national reference level to guide fluoroscopy use in urological procedures, thereby adding a quantitative and objective value to complement the principles of keeping radiation exposure 'as low as reasonably achievable'. This snapshot of real-time data shows significant variation around the country, as well as significant differences between low- and high-volume centres for PCNL, and grade of lead surgeon for stent procedures.

A systematic review of the clinical significance of nephrostomy urine cultures.

PURPOSE: There are few published reviews that have assessed the clinical utility of renal urine cultures following percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN). In this systematic review, we evaluated the published evidence of the clinical utility of nephrostomy urine cultures in the light of emerging antimicrobial resistance and need for stewardship. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search and review for evidence on the utility and role of nephrostomy urine cultures, using Medline, Embase and PubMed. We looked for evidence to assess whether there is any utility in collecting renal urine for culture at the time of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) and if the culture results of nephrostomy urine and bladder urine are different. We studied outcomes of treatment based on nephrostomy culture results. We also examined the role of PCN cultures at the time of routine nephrostomy exchange. Finally, we assessed if doing a PCN leads to infection or pyelonephritis. RESULTS: From 94 studies initially identified, we finally selected two randomised clinical trials (RCT), six original articles and five detailed conference abstracts for the review. These studies suggest that PCN urine cultures are overall useful in clinical practice. They are useful in selecting appropriate antimicrobial treatment for urosepsis following upper urinary obstruction. There does not appear to be any advantage in performing PCN cultures at routine nephrostomy exchanges. Occasionally, PCN itself can lead to subsequent urosepsis. CONCLUSION: Nephrostomy urine cultures have utility in clinical practice and can help support treatment and antimicrobial stewardship.

Should contrast CT urography replace non-contrast CT as an investigation for ureteric colic in the emergency department in those aged 65 and over?

PURPOSE: Elderly patients with upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) may present with colic and microscopic haematuria, mimicking urolithiasis. Patients presenting to emergency departments with acute ureteric colic are investigated with a CT KUB. CT urography (CTU) identifies UTUC better than a CT KUB. Thus, there is a possibility that a CT KUB may miss UTUC. METHODS: We studied patients aged 65 years or over presenting to the emergency department with ureteric colic and microscopic haematuria who had a CT KUB between January 2014 and October 2016. Patients who had both CT KUB and CTU were then compared to determine if CT KUB had missed a UTUC and if the diagnoses were concordant by the two tests. A radiologist independent from the reporting radiologists reviewed images as well as their reports. According to the Health Research Authority, England regulations, we did not obtain an ethical review on a voluntary basis for this retrospective study. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-five patients [228 (47.01%) male and 257 (52.99%) female] had a CT KUB scan over the 34-month period. Their mean age was 74 (SD 6.97) [males 73 (SD 6.42), females 75 (SD 7.42)] years. One hundred eighty-seven scans were normal. Ureteric calculi (167), renal calculi (58) and renal cysts (28) were most frequent diagnoses. The diagnosis was uncertain in 33 patients (6.8%) [16 (48.49%) males and 17 (51.51%) females]. The mean age of this group of patients was 74 (SD 6.64) [males 73 (SD4.43), females 74 (SD7.64)] years. These patients had a CTU for clarity. CTU identified one UTUC not identified by CT KUB (0.2%), corroborated the diagnosis of a ureteric tumour in one patient and excluded UTUC in two others. CTU diagnosed two new bladder tumours and an endometrial tumour. Diagnoses were concordant between CT KUB and CTU in 17 of 33 patients (51.5%). CONCLUSIONS: CT KUB scans for patients 65 years and over presenting with ureteric colic is justified. Only a small proportion of patients will subsequently require the higher radiation dose CTU as the probability of missing UTUC is low.

Point prevalence & risk factor assessment for hospital-acquired infections in a tertiary care hospital in Pune, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major challenge to patient safety and have serious public health implications by changing the quality of life of patients and sometimes causing disability or even death. The true burden of HAI remains unknown, particularly in developing countries. The objective of this study was to estimate point prevalence of HAI and study the associated risk factors in a tertiary care hospital in Pune, India. METHODS: A series of four cross-sectional point prevalence surveys were carried out between March and August 2014. Data of each patient admitted were collected using a structured data entry form. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines were used to identify and diagnose patients with HAI. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of HAI was 3.76 per cent. Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (25%), medical ICU (20%), burns ward (20%) and paediatric ward (12.17%) were identified to have significant association with HAI. Prolonged hospital stay [odds ratio (OR=2.81), mechanical ventilation (OR=18.57), use of urinary catheter (OR=7.89) and exposure to central air-conditioning (OR=8.59) had higher odds of acquiring HAI (P<0.05). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: HAI prevalence showed a progressive reduction over successive rounds of survey. Conscious effort needs to be taken by all concerned to reduce the duration of hospital stay. Use of medical devices should be minimized and used judiciously. Healthcare infection control should be a priority of every healthcare provider. Such surveys should be done in different healthcare settings to plan a response to reducing HAI.

Linking the evidence between urinary retention and antipsychotic or antidepressant drugs: A systematic review.

AIMS: Urinary retention (UR) occurs in patients on antipsychotic and antidepressant medication despite no apparent underlying urological cause. This review was undertaken to ascertain which of these medications are associated with UR and how often. METHODS: A systematic literature search for evidence on antipsychotic and antidepressant medications and UR was completed in June 2015 using Scopus, Pubmed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. Search terms included urinary retention, antidepressants and antipsychotics as well as individual drug names. Filters used were: humans and English language. PRISMA guidelines were employed. RESULTS: Out of 614 articles initially identified, one meta-analysis, five RCT's, five cohort studies and 27 case reports were finally included. There was a wide range of definitions of UR. Studies which appropriately defined UR revealed it occurred in 1/21 patients on ziprasidone (an atypical antipsychotic), 17.6% of those on imipramine but only 0.1% of those on all tricyclic antidepressants analysed together. It was not reported in any of the 1,139 patients given duloxetine (a combined serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor). It was reported in 0.025% of patients on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. UR was also reported in patients on typical antispychotics, selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors but the studies did not define UR. The majority of case reports reported an improvement in UR on discontinuation or dose reduction. CONCLUSION: Antipsychotics and antidepressants interact with the urinary system in many ways. Clinicians treating acute UR need to keep in mind the role of antipsychotic and antidepressants as a precipitating cause. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:866-874, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in nosocomial pathogens at a tertiary care hospital in Pune.

BACKGROUND: Resistance to antimicrobial agents is emerging in wide variety of nosocomial and community acquired pathogens. Widespread and often inappropriate use of broad spectrum antimicrobial agents is recognized as a significant contributing factor to the development and spread of bacterial resistance. This study was conducted to gain insight into the prevalent antimicrobial prescribing practices, and antimicrobial resistance pattern in nosocomial pathogens at a tertiary care hospital in Pune, India. METHODS: Series of one day cross sectional point prevalence surveys were carried out on four days between March and August 2014. All eligible in patients were included in the study. A structured data entry form was used to collect the data for each patient. Relevant samples were collected for microbiological examination from all the clinically identified hospital acquired infection cases. RESULTS: 41.73% of the eligible patients (95% CI: 39.52-43.97) had been prescribed at least one antimicrobial during their stay in the hospital. Beta-lactams (38%) were the most prescribed antimicrobials, followed by Protein synthesis inhibitors (24%). Majority of the organisms isolated from Hospital acquired infection (HAI cases) were found to be resistant to the commonly used antimicrobials viz: Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Amikacin, Gentamicin and Monobactams. CONCLUSION: There is need to have regular antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance and dissemination of this information to the clinicians. In addition, emphasis on the rational use of antimicrobials, antimicrobial rotation and strict adherence to the standard treatment guidelines is very essential.

Fluoroquinolone resistant rectal colonization predicts risk of infectious complications after transrectal prostate biopsy.

PURPOSE: Infection after transrectal prostate biopsy has become an increasing concern due to fluoroquinolone resistant bacteria. We determined whether colonization identified by rectal culture can identify men at high risk for post-transrectal prostate biopsy infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six institutions provided retrospective data through a standardized, web based data entry form on patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy who had rectal culture performed. The primary outcome was any post-transrectal prostate biopsy infection and the secondary outcome was hospital admission 30 days after transrectal prostate biopsy. We used chi-square and logistic regression statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 2,673 men underwent rectal culture before transrectal prostate biopsy from January 1, 2007 to September 12, 2013. The prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance was 20.5% (549 of 2,673). Fluoroquinolone resistant positive rectal cultures were associated with post-biopsy infection (6.6% vs 1.6%, p <0.001) and hospitalization (4.4% vs 0.9%, p <0.001). Fluoroquinolone resistant positive rectal culture increased the risk of infection (OR 3.98, 95% CI 2.37-6.71, p <0.001) and subsequent hospital admission (OR 4.77, 95% CI 2.50-9.10, p <0.001). If men only received fluoroquinolone prophylaxis, the infection and hospitalization proportion increased to 8.2% (28 of 343) and 6.1% (21 of 343), with OR 4.77 (95% CI 2.50-9.10, p <0.001) and 5.67 (95% CI 3.00-10.90, p <0.001), respectively. The most common fluoroquinolone resistant bacteria isolates were Escherichia coli (83.7%). Limitations include the retrospective study design, nonstandardized culture and interpretation of resistance methods. CONCLUSIONS: Colonization of fluoroquinolone resistant organisms in the rectum identifies men at high risk for infection and subsequent hospitalization from prostate biopsy, especially in those with fluoroquinolone prophylaxis only.

Current advances in the use of artificial intelligence in predicting and managing urological complications.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising avenue for improving patient care and surgical outcomes in urological surgery. However, the extent of AI's impact in predicting and managing complications is not fully elucidated. OBJECTIVES: We review the application of AI to foresee and manage complications in urological surgery, assess its efficacy, and discuss challenges to its use. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A targeted non-systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify studies on AI in urological surgery and its complications. Evidence from the studies was synthesised. RESULTS: Incorporating AI into various facets of urological surgery has shown promising advancements. From preoperative planning to intraoperative guidance, AI is revolutionising the field, demonstrating remarkable proficiency in tasks such as image analysis, decision-making support, and complication prediction. Studies show that AI programmes are highly accurate, increase surgical precision and efficiency, and reduce complications. However, implementation challenges exist in AI errors, human errors, and ethical issues. CONCLUSION: AI has great potential in predicting and managing surgical complications of urological surgery. Advancements have been made, but challenges and ethical considerations must be addressed before widespread AI implementation.

The national burden of infections after prostate biopsy in England and Wales: a wake-up call for better prevention.

Transrectal ultrasound-guided needle biopsies (TGBs) are the mainstay of prostate cancer diagnosis. An average of 72,500 TGBs were performed in England and Wales in 2008. Current guidelines recommend fluoroquinolone prophylaxis for TGBs. However, emerging fluoroquinolone resistance has led to increased frequency and morbidity due to post-TGB infections. Following TGB, 2.15%-3.6% of patients are readmitted with infective complications. We estimate readmissions result in 25,745-37,062 bed days at an annual cost of £ 7.7-11.1 million in England and Wales. Clearly, an increase in post-TGB infections with resistant organisms has a profound clinical and economic impact. We suggest alternative approaches to prophylaxis to reduce post-TGB infections. These include prophylaxis based on local antibiotic resistance surveillance and targeted prophylaxis based on antibiograms of coliforms detected in pre-biopsy rectal swabs. Other strategies include selective prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and the use of biomarkers like prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) to reduce the number of TGBs. Furthermore, transperineal biopsy has been shown to be associated with fewer infections.

A contemporaneous narrative review of Fournier's gangrene.

INTRODUCTION: Fournier's gangrene is a necrotizing infection of the external genitalia, perineal or perianal regions and is mainly seen in males. Its main risk factors include diabetes, chronic alcoholism, HIV and other immune-compromised states. Fournier's gangrene has an aggressive course associated with a mortality rate of 20%-30%, making early diagnosis and management very important. The Fournier Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI) has been traditionally used to predict the severity and prognosis. More recently, simplified FGSI (sFGSI) has been proposed and is helpful. However, timely diagnosis, supportive medical management and complete surgical debridement are still the cornerstones of treatment. These must be complemented with early and timely re-look debridements and appropriate reconstruction to cover soft tissue defects. This literature review aims to look at recent relevant research regards risk factors and prognostic features of Fournier's gangrene. METHODS: A search was conducted on Google Scholar and PubMed databases for all articles related to Fournier's Gangrene. These included clinical reviews, case reports, case series and retrospective studies. Reports or studies which were not published in English were not reviewed. Various reconstructive techniques to cover the defects have also been revisited. RESULTS: Broad-spectrum antibiotics and urgent surgical debridement are the core management principles of Fournier's gangrene. Repeat debridement after 24 h is also recommended. Adjunctive therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen and vacuum-assisted closure are supported in most aspects of recent literature. Expectedly, there is a lack of randomised controlled studies in such emergency surgical conditions, which limits the widespread use of newer therapies to patients unresponsive to conventional management. CONCLUSION: Fournier's gangrene is a urological emergency with a high mortality rate. The aggressive nature of the infection necessitates early recognition and immediate surgical intervention. Negative pressure dressing and occasional hyperbaric oxygen as adjuncts should be used more routinely, especially if there is a delayed response to conventional treatment or in severe infections.

Thirty-day morbidity and mortality of elective urological surgery in patients aged 80 years and over in a UK district general hospital.

PURPOSE: An ageing population has led to many people aged 80 and over requiring urological surgery. There are concerns that operating on octogenarians may be fraught with higher morbidity and mortality risk. Therefore, the purpose was to study postoperative outcomes in people aged 80 years and over undergoing elective urological surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the 30-day readmissions and deaths in patients aged 80 years and over who had elective urological surgery over a seven and half year period from February 2011 to July 2018 in a district general hospital. Surgeries were stratified into minor, intermediate and major. Our data did not include supra-major surgeries like radical cystectomy as these are done in tertiary centres. We used logistic regression to examine factors associated with readmissions and death. RESULTS: A total of 1239 patients had 2201 operations. The median age was 84.1 years. Procedures on the bladder were the most common, followed by prostate surgery. A 17.9% of operations resulted in an adverse outcome (death or readmission attributable to surgery) within 30 days. There were 21 deaths, equating to 1% of all surgeries undertaken. There was a significant difference in both readmissions and deaths by American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade. The median time to readmission from surgery was 18 (IQR 13-23) days. The highest number of readmissions occurred in the third week after surgery. A 94% of the readmissions were for a minor complication (grade I Clavien Dindo), with haematuria and urinary retention being most common. CONCLUSIONS: This study informs hospitals, surgeons, patient advocacy groups and insurance, that the morbidity and mortality risks of non-supra major elective urological surgery in patients aged 80 and over are not disproportionately high.

Collateral damage of wandering ProTacks.

CASE: A 75-year-old man presented with mixed obstructive and storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). He had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) 5 years and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair 20 years ago. He had a stone adherent to the bladder wall and an occlusive prostate. OUTCOME: He underwent a re-do TURP and stone removal. Stone removal revealed an underlying metal coil straddling the bladder wall, which had served as a nidus for stone formation. The metal ring was a ProTack staple from previous hernia surgery, which had detached and wandered into the bladder. At follow-up after 12 weeks, the patient was asymptomatic, and his urine was sterile. Therefore, he chose to be treated conservatively for the ProTack and was started on periodic follow-up and cystoscopic surveillance. Shortly after review, he developed intestinal obstruction, which resolved spontaneously and was thought to be secondary to adhesions from other tacks that had migrated into the peritoneal cavity. CONCLUSION: We have reported a case of a ProTack from a previous hernia repair migrating into the bladder and also causing intestinal obstruction. The case is very rare because of the combination of complications. Clinicians should beware of delayed complications and damage to other organs due to metallic hernia staples.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors and treatment choices in emphysematous pyelonephritis.

PURPOSE: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is an acute, severe necrotising infection of the kidney. There has been a shift from early nephrectomy to conservative methods. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the impact of risk factors and treatment choices on outcomes in EPN. METHODS: We conducted a database search of all studies in English, reporting more than 12 patients of EPN from 1980 to 2020. We compiled the demographics, clinical presentations, risk factors, critical diagnostic results, treatment modalities and outcomes, including mortality. RESULTS: We identified 37 observational studies, 32 retrospective and 5 prospective. The studies reported on 1146 patients, of which 790(68.9%) were female, and 946 (82.5%) were diabetic. In addition, 184 (16.1%) patients had stones, and 235 (20.5%) had obstructive uropathy. Fever and flank pain were the most frequent symptoms. The most common clinical features were pyuria, fever, flank tenderness, and tachycardia. E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus were the most frequent organisms isolated. X-ray KUB and ultrasound were used as initial diagnostic modalities, but CT scan was the usual diagnostic and confirmatory investigation. Confusion, shock, thrombocytopenia, sepsis, emergency nephrectomy and hyponatremia were significantly associated with mortality. In particular, confusion and hyponatremia were associated with a sevenfold increase in mortality risk. There was no evidence that diabetes, stones, obstructive uropathy, AKI or proteinuria was associated with higher mortality. Nevertheless, 143 of the total 1146 patients died (12.5%). While 26% of the patients who had upfront emergency nephrectomy died, only 9.7% and 10% of patients with medical management and medical management plus minimally invasive treatments died. However, patients that failed medical and minimally invasive treatments and needed salvage emergency nephrectomy had a mortality of upwards of 27%. CONCLUSION: The risk factors for mortality in emphysematous pyelonephritis are shock, thrombocytopenia, confusion, hyponatremia and emergency nephrectomy. Conservative and minimally invasive treatment should be the initial management strategy for emphysematous pyelonephritis as they carry lesser mortality risks. The presence of risk factors may help predict the subset of patients who need aggressive treatment and minimally invasive treatment modalities or early nephrectomy.

Acute urinary retention.

Acute urinary retention is a common clinical presentation in emergency departments in the UK and is responsible for over 30 000 hospital admissions annually. Awareness of the latest advice and guidelines regarding its presentation, investigation and management is paramount to improve patient outcomes and reduce morbidity. Immediate management of acute urinary retention relies on timely bladder decompression by catheterisation. Knowledge of the routes and types of catheterisation, including the associated risks, complications and contraindications, is essential to allow rapid and early intervention, thus preventing further complications. Differences in the presentation of patients with acute urinary retention reflect varying aetiologies, the knowledge of which determines long-term management and prognosis.

Adding amikacin to fluoroquinolone-based antimicrobial prophylaxis reduces prostate biopsy infection rates.

OBJECTIVE: • To examine the efficacy of adding amikacin to fluoroquinolone-based antimicrobial prophylaxis in preventing transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy (TGB) associated infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • Infections after TGB were compared before adding amikacin to antimicrobial prophylaxis (2006) with those that occurred after adding amikacin to the prophylaxis (2007 and 2008). • During both periods antimicrobial prophylaxis consisted of ciprofloxacin, co-amoxiclav and metronidazole except after August 2008 when co-amoxiclav was discontinued. • Amikacin was added to the prophylaxis protocol in the period 2007 and 2008. RESULTS: • Before adding amikacin 11 of 281 (3.9%) patients developed infections after TGB (seven urinary tract infections (UTIs) and seven bacteraemias) whereas after adding amikacin six UTIs and two bacteraemias occurred in 590 (1.4%) patients. • In both periods, most of the strains causing the infections were ciprofloxacin resistant (2006: 13 of 14; 2007 and 2008: seven of eight). • Overall, there is strong statistical evidence that the total infection rate was significantly reduced after the inclusion of amikacin into the prostate biopsy prophylaxis regimen. • In 2007 and 2008 when amikacin was included in prophylaxis, the bacteraemia rate was reduced to just over one-tenth of the rate in 2006 before introducing amikacin (P= 0.002). • Although just failing to reach the conventional significance level of 0.05, the evidence suggests a reduction in UTI by an estimated 60% after adding amikacin. CONCLUSION: • We conclude that adding amikacin to fluoroquinolone-based antimicrobial prophylaxis in areas with high fluoroquinolone resistance confers significant benefit in preventing infections after TGB.