Impact of delayed processing of positive blood cultures on organism detection: a prospective multi-centre study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07504-1
• Publication Date: 2022-06-04T12:02:54Z
• Authors: Tamalee Roberts; Arjun Chandna; Wanitda Watthanaw...; Areerat Thaiprakong; Sona Soeng; Manivone Simmalavong; Phonelavanh Phoumin; Weerawut Saengchun; Nongyao Khatta; Pattaraporn Hinfo...; Napaporn Kaewpundoem; Sue J. Lee; Carlo Perrone; Ben Amos; Paul Turner; Elizabeth A. Ashley; Clare L. Ling
• Keywords: Blood Culture; Gold standard (test); Medical microbiology; Clinical Microbiology; Streptococcus suis

Abstract Background Blood cultures remain the gold standard investigation for diagnosis of bloodstream infections. In many locations, quality-assured processing positive blood is not possible. One solution to incubate locally, and then transport bottles that flag a central reference laboratory organism identification antimicrobial susceptibility testing. However, impact delay between bottle flagging subsequent sub-culture on viability isolate has received little attention. Methods This study evaluated delays (22 h seven days) in three different temperature conditions (2–8 °C, 22–27 °C 35 ± 2 °C) had flagged automated detection systems using mixture spiked routine clinical specimens. Ninety samples five common bacterial causes sepsis ( Escherichia coli , Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae pneumoniae ) 125 consecutive were at four laboratories located Cambodia, Lao PDR Thailand. addition, utility swabs preserving was investigated. Results All organisms recoverable from all sub-cultures with exception S. which less likely be after longer (> 46–50 h), when stored hotter temperatures (35 °C), BacT/ALERT compared BACTEC culture bottles. Storage cooler (22–27 or below) use Amies helped preserve . Conclusions These results have practical implications optimal workflow remotely laboratory, particularly tropical resource-constrained contexts.