Blood Cultures Following Rectal Examination
Abstract
CERTAIN types of manipulative procedures may be followed by transient bacteremia.1 These procedures include dental work, tonsillectomy, tracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, esophageal dilation, upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract endoscopy, liver biopsy, child-birth, cardiac catheterization, angiography, and examinations or surgery involving the rectum and prostate.
The frequency of bacteremia following lower GI tract manipulation has varied in different reports, perhaps depending on the type of...