BACTERIAL CULTURE, BLOOD ‘Sywonvi/acnonvm: Nia. SPECIMEN: Whole blood collected in bortes containing standard aerobic and anaerobic culture media; 10 to 20 ml. for adult paticts or 1 ro 5 mL. for pediatric patients [REFERENCE VALUE: (Method: Gronch of organiems in andard euler media identified by radiometric or infired automation, or by manual read ing of subculre.) Negative: no growth of pathogens. DESCRIPTION: Blood cultures are collected whenever bacteremia or s_p- ticemia is suspected. Although mild bacteremia is found in many infee- tious diseases, a persistent, continue ‘us, oF recurrent bacteremia indicates 1 more serious condition that may te- quire immediate treatment. Barly de- tection of pathogens inthe blood may aid in making clinical and etiologic dliagnoses. Blood culture involves the intro- duction of a specimen of blood into artificial aerobic and _anacrobie growth culture medium. The culture is incubated for a specific length of time, at a specific temperature, and under other conditions suitable for the growth of pathogenic microor- ¢ganisms. Pathogens enter the blood- steam from soft-tissue infection sites, contaminated intravenous lines, oF invasive procedures (eg. surgery, tooth extraction, cystoscopy). A blood culture may also be done with an_ antimicrobial removal device some ofthe blood sample into a spe- cial vial containing absorbent resins that remove antbioties from the sam- ple before the culture is performed. ‘The laboratory will initiate antbiovie sensitivity testing if indicated by rest results. Sensitivity eesting identifies the antibiotics to which the organisms are susceprble to ensure an effective ‘treatment plan. InoicaTions: ' Determine sepsis in the newborn a6 a result of prolonged labor, early rupcure of membranes, maternal infection, oF ‘nconatal aspiration with infected burns, urinary tract, infections, rapidly progressing. tissue infection, postoperative wound sepsis, and indwelling venous of arterial catheter + Byaluate intermittent of continuous temperature elevation of unknown origin + Evaluate persistent, intermittent fever associated with 3 heart murmur + Byaluate a sudden change in pulse and temperature with oF without chills and diaphoresis + Byaluate suspected bacteremia. after invasive procedures + Identify the cause of shock in the post- operative period Resuur Positive findings in: + Bacteremia or septicemia: Aerobacten Bactervides, Brucella, Clestridium perfringens, enterococsi, Excherchia cal and other coliform bacili, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella, Listeria monoeyto- gene, Preudomonas aeruginast, Salmo- Sella, Stapbylococus antes, Saphylo- coccus epidermidis, and B-hemolytic Streptococcus, + Plague + Malasia (by special request, a stained capillary smear would be examined) + Typhoid fever Note: Candida albicans is a yeast that can cause disease and ean be isolated by blood cule. Crricar vatues: 4 poscve ndings mm be immeiaely communi © the primary he ee practioner,