Description
Used in the isolation and identification of potentially pathogenic organisms causing bacteraemia, and to establish the diagnosis of endocarditis. Also important for diagnosis in cases of suspected sepsis, meningitis, osteomyelitis, arthritis, or acute untreated bacterial pneumonia. For other sources of bacteraemia, there may be a more intermittent shedding of organisms into the blood. Ideally, two sets of blood cultures should be taken for each episode of fever to assist in defining the significance of possible contamination, chiefy coagulase negative staphylococci. Prior antimicrobial therapy may decrease yield.
Indications
Patient Preparation: The major difficulty in interpretation of blood cultures is potential contamination by skin flora. This difficulty can be markedly reduced by careful attention to the details of skin preparation and antisepsis prior to collection of the specimen.
Sample Type, Quantity & Conditions
10 ml Whole Blood/100 ml media.* Room Temperature * For infants: 1-5 ml whole blood/100 ml media.
Special Precautions
Follow stringent aseptic technique. Use special culture bottles provided. Three to four sets of blood cultures/day should be su&cient to detect the causative agent of bacteraemia. If bacterial endocarditis is present, all blood cultures may be positive.
Normal Range
No Growth
