Controlled evaluation of the volume of blood cultured in detection of bacteremia and fungemia

Abstract

To evaluate the role of the volume of blood cultured in the detection of clinically important bacteremia and fungemia in adults, the yield and speed of detection of microorganisms from 5317 paired 2- and 5-ml samples of blood were evaluated. The same kind of medium (supplemented peptone broth with 0.03% sodium polyanetholsulfonate) and atmosphere of incubation (open venting units) were used for all blood cultures. Only adequately filled (.gtoreq. 80% of stated volume) sets (20-ml tube and 50-ml bottle) were compared statistically. Significantly more bacteria (P < 0.01), Pseudomonas spp. in particular (P < 0.05), were isolated from the 5-ml samples of blood. Evidently, the volume of blood cultured is a critical factor in the detection of septicemia. Consequently, valid evaluation of other factors influencing the detection of septicemia must be based on comparisons in which equal volumes of blood are cultured.