Culture-based detection of bacterial pathogens and yeasts in blood
Microbiology
Bacteriology
○ Whole blood
Other Information
○ Contact the microbiology laboratory if there is a suspicion of Brucella spp infection or other fastidious organism that necessitate a prolonged incubation (21 days). ○ In case of suspicion of Cryptococcus spp or dimorphic fungi infection, add an SPS tube. See Blood culture – Fungal culture and sensitivities
○ BD BACT/ALERT® FA Plus Aerobic ○ BD BACT/ALERT® FN Plus Anaerobic ○ BD BACT/ALERT® PediFAN (pediatric)
○ A set of blood cultures consists of two BacT/Alert bottles, one for aerobic and the other for anaerobic culture taken from a single venipuncture site. For infants, a single aerobic BacT/Alert PF bottle is required ○ Clean over the proposed site (an area with a diameter of about 5cm) using 2% chlorhexidine with 70% alcohol swabs for 30 sec and allow the site to air dry (usually about 10 sec). Do not palpate or touch the cleaned site with non-sterile gloves after cleaning
○ Remove the protective plastic cap from each BacT/Alert bottle and disinfect the rubber septum with 70% alcohol for 10 sec and allow it to air dry before proceeding.
○ Collect blood using a syringe to assure that the appropriate volume is collected. ○ For adults, collect 20 mL of blood for each blood culture draw. Expel all air from the syringe and aseptically inject 10 mL into the BacT/Alert FAN aerobic bottle and 10 mL in the BacT/Alert FAN anaerobic bottle. Do not overfill the bottles. ○ For children, volume depends on the weight: • <1kg: 1-2 mL of blood • 1-2 kg: 2-3 mL of blood • 2-13 kg: 3-4 mL of blood • 13-36 kg: 5-8 mL of blood • >36 kg: 16-20 mL of blood
Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
In-house
○ Preliminary result – up to 5 days
416-586-4800 extension 4443
NO
○ Transport specimens to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory as soon as possible after collection at room temperature.
○ If a delay in transport or processing is anticipated, DO NOT refrigerate the bottles – leave them at room temperature (20-25˚C)