Incidence of bacteremia following Endo-Bronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) Guided Trans-Bronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA) - A prospective study

Respir Med. 2025 Jul:243:108149. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2025.108149. Epub 2025 May 7.

Abstract

Background and objective: The risk of bacteremia following bronchoscopy procedures is well studied but limited data exists on bacteremia following Endo-Bronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) Guided Trans-Bronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA). This prospective study aimed to assess bacteremia incidence following EBUS-TBNA, compare the findings to other studies made for various bronchoscopy procedures and evaluate the necessity of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Methods: We prospectively collected blood cultures pre- and post-procedure from 100 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA in a single large center.

Results: The study revealed a 3 % bacteremia following EBUS-TBNA with no correlation between bacteremia and lymph node location or size.

Conclusion: The results align with prior bronchoscopy studies, suggesting bacteremia rates range between 2 % and 7 %, with no clear association with procedure type.

Keywords: Bacteremia; Bronchoscopy; Endobronchial ultrasound; Infection.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis
  • Bacteremia* / epidemiology
  • Bacteremia* / etiology
  • Bacteremia* / prevention & control
  • Bronchoscopy* / adverse effects
  • Bronchoscopy* / methods
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration* / adverse effects
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration* / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies