DOUBLE-BLIND-STUDY OF TRIMETHOPRIMSULFAMETHOXAZOLE PROPHYLAXIS IN PATIENTS HAVING TRANS-RECTAL NEEDLE-BIOPSY OF THE PROSTATE

We studied 89 men undergoing transrectal prostatic biopsies to determine the efficacy of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in preventing postoperative fever, bacteremia and bacteriuria. Of the patients who received placebo temperatures of 37.6°C or more occurred in 18 per cent, bacteremia in 70 per cent and bacteriuria in 21 per cent. Most cases of bacteremia were caused by anaerobic organisms and were asymptomatic. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole did not reduce the frequency of fever or bacteremia but did produce a significant reduction in bacteriuria (0 versus 21 per cent, p equals 0.008).