Culture, Blood
Positive blood cultures with Gram stain consistent with Gram-positive cocci in pairs, chains, clusters, and yeast will automatically have a rapid molecular identification test performed.
| Reference Range: |
No growth |
Routine Culture will detect Candida sp., Cryptococcus sp., and HACEK organisms.
If Brucella or Francisella are suspected, order Routine Culture and CONTACT MICROBIOLOGY 984-974-1805 to extend incubation period.
If Histoplasma, Fusarium, or Malassezia are suspected, order BLOOD CULTURE MOULD.
Blood Culture Options (Specify Culture Type when Ordering)
|
| Culture Type |
Patient Population |
Test ID |
Bottle Type/Comments |
Culture, Blood,
Routine
|
All Patients not Meeting Criteria Below
NOTE: This culture will recover
HACEK organisms with no change
in collection or incubation conditions.
If Brucella or Francisella are in
the differential, extended incubation
may be required.
Please contact the Microbiology Lab
(984-974-1805).
|
LAB462
|
BD BACTEC Plus Aerobic/F
(Grey Cap/Blue Ring)
(Optimal Volume 8-10 mL)
Lawson# 052346
(UOM box of 50 bottles) |
|
BD BACTEC Anaerobic Lytic/10
(Purple Cap/Maroon Ring)
(Optimal Volume 8-10 mL)
Lawson# 052347
(UOM box of 50 bottles)
|
Culture, Blood,
Pediatric |
Labels and draw order based on weight:
For patients <5 kg, 1 mL in 1 pink Peds Bottle
For patients 5-10 kg, 2 mL in 1 pink Peds Bottle
For patients 10.1-20 kg, 3 mL in 1 pink Peds Bottle and 3 mL in 1 purple ANA Bottle
For patients 20.1-40 kg, 5 mL in 1 blue Plus Bottle and 5 mL in 1 purple ANA Bottle
For patients >40 kg, 10 mL in 1 blue Plus Bottle and 10 mL in 1 purple ANA Bottle
|
LAB5062 |
BD BACTEC Peds Plus/F
(Pink Cap/Gray Ring)
(Optimal Volume 8-10 mL)
Lawson #370966
|
Culture, Blood,
AFB |
HIV+ patients with CD4 Count <100;
Suspected MAC infections |
LAB246 |
BD BACTEC Myco/F Lytic
(White Cap/Red Ring)
Available from Phlebotomy Lab
(Optimal Volume 1-5 mL)
|
Blood Culture
Mould
|
Suspected infections due to:
- Fusarium sp.
- Malassezia furfur
- Histoplasma
(Specify at Collection).
|
LAB5072 |
 x2
BD BACTEC Myco/F Lytic
(White Cap/Red Ring)
Available from Phlebotomy
(Optimal Volume per bottle 1-5 mL,
must collect two bottles or rejected.) |
Blood Culture Methodologies and Reporting
Routine adult and pediatric blood cultures are processed using the BD Bactec continuously monitored blood culture system. From the time the sample is placed in the Bactec module, the culture is read every 10 minutes using a colorimetric sensor to monitor for the production of CO2, indicative of microbial growth.
The Bactec media and system will detect most fastidious organisms, including HACEK group organisms, using our standard incubation periods. However, if Brucella or Francisella are included in the differential, contact the Microbiology Lab (974-1805), as these organisms may require additional incubation time. (No additional media are required for these organisms.)
Negative results are updated automatically to the Laboratory Information System and to the Clinical Workstations hourly; after five days incubation and continuous monitoring, cultures which have not been detected as positive are finalized as "No Growth After 5 Days".
When the instrument indicates that a culture has become positive, a Gram's stain of the positive bottle is performed and subcultures are made to appropriate media. Initial, first-time positive blood cultures are immediately called to the ordering physician. Subsequent, repeat positives are not called unless the Gram's stain indicates a different organism(s).
Blood Cultures for Acid Fast Bacilli (Mycobacterium sp.) are similarly monitored by the Bactec system. Negative results are updated automatically to the LIS and Clinical Workstations weekly; cultures are incubated for six weeks before being given a final result of Negative.
Blood Culture Mould is intended for the recovery of Histoplasma, Fusarium sp., and the lipid-dependent yeast, Malassezia furfur. These are set up using TWO Bactec Myco/F Lytic bottles. Media are incubated for three weeks before being given a final result of Negative. Call the Microbiology Laboratory at 984-974-1805 for more information.
Blood Culture Guidelines
- Best Practice for Obtaining Blood Cultures
- A Total of 4 Blood Cultures are allowed during the first 48 hours of suspected sepsis
- Two Additional Blood Cultures are permitted every 48 hours following the initial 4 blood cultures, if clinical condition warrants
- "Test of Cure" Cultures may be drawn 48 hours after clinically significant, positive blood cultures are obtained
