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Test yields neonate blood culture data in 2 days
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It takes about 2 days for neonatal blood cultures to come back positive for bacteria or fungi using the BacT/Alert system from bioMerieux, according to recent study data.
Researchers from Manipal University in India prospectively looked at data from blood cultures of neonates suspected to have sepsis. There were 944 blood cultures obtained from 816 neonates in a neonatal ICU from December 2009 to July 2011.
Among the samples taken, 139 were positive for microorganisms: 69 had definitive bacteria, 42 had possible bacteria, 19 had fungi and nine had contaminants. All of the definitive bacterial pathogens, 95% of the possible bacterial pathogens and 84% of the fungi were detected within 48 hours. When considering only definite and possible bacterial pathogens, the sensitivity at 36 hours was 93.4% and the sensitivity at 48 hours was 98.2%. The negative predictive value at 36 hours was 99.1%, and at 48 hours, it was 99.8%.
The researchers said quick access to blood culture information can be key because quick access can help guide decisions about antibiotic use. Judicious use of antibiotics has been connected with fewer days in the hospital.
“[These finding have] a direct implication on length of antibiotic therapy,” the researchers wrote. “Decreased antibiotic use may reduce emergence of resistant organisms, length of hospital stay in a defined neonatal population and the work load in neonatal unit, apart from cost savings.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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