Inoculation of Sphingobacterium multivorum in the prostate by prostate biopsy

This report describes three cases of infection with Sphingobacterium multivorum after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. The pathogen is ubiquitous in water and soil but has been described fewer than 10 times causing infections in humans. An infection hygiene evaluation identified and changed a step in the biopsy process in order to reduce the risk of inoculating the patient with environmental microorganisms.