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Colonoscopy and bacteraemia: an experience in 50 patients
The New Zealand Medical Journal
|April 23, 1986
Summary
The risk of bacteraemia during colonoscopy is low, with only 4% of patients showing positive blood cultures attributed to the procedure. This study investigated transient bacteraemia incidence in 50 patients undergoing colonoscopy.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Limited consensus exists regarding bacteraemia incidence during colonoscopy.
- The necessity of antibiotic prophylaxis for susceptible patients remains debated.
- A prior case of hepatic abscess potentially linked to colonoscopy prompted this research.
Observation:
- A prospective study involved 50 patients undergoing colonoscopy.
- Multiple blood cultures were collected to detect transient bacteraemia.
- The timing of bacteraemia occurrence during the procedure was investigated.
Findings:
- Five patients (10%) had positive blood cultures.
- Two patients had *S. epidermidis* isolated pre-procedure.
- Enteric organisms were cultured from three patients during the procedure; in one, the organism was also present pre-procedure, thus only 4% of cases were definitively linked to colonoscopy.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a low risk of procedure-related bacteraemia during colonoscopy.
- This data may inform clinical decisions regarding antibiotic prophylaxis.
- Further research could clarify the clinical significance of transient bacteraemia in this context.