Medical Principles and Practice

Original Paper

Free Access

Blood Culture Contamination in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Shiraz, Southwest-Central Iran

Hashemizadeh Z.a · Bazargani A.a · Davarpanah M.A.b

Author affiliations

aDepartment of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, and bHIV/AIDS Research Center, Internal Medicine Ward, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran

Corresponding Author

Dr. Abdollah Bazargani

Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Zand Street, 71348-53185 Shiraz (Iran)

Tel./Fax +98 711 230 4356, E-Mail bazargania@sums.ac.ir

Keywords: Blood cultureContaminationBacteremia

Related Articles for ""
Med Princ Pract 2011;20:133–136
https://doi.org/10.1159/000321237

Abstract

Objective: To measure bacterial contamination rates in blood culture specimens and distinguish sepsis from blood culture contamination in newborn hospitalized patients in a neonatal intensive care unit and to recognize the most commonly isolated bacteria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples of 578 neonates were collected and cultured throughout the year of study (March 2006 to February 2007). Isolated bacteria were identified by traditional biochemical tests. Clinical criteria combined with laboratory data were used to differentiate the contaminated cultures from clinically significant cultures. Results: Of the 578 neonatal blood culture samples, 78 (13.49%) were positive for bacteria, and 49 isolates (8.47%) were classified as contaminants. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common isolates from true bacteremia, and Staphylococcus epidermidis and diphtheroids were the most common contaminants. Conclusion: The blood culture contamination rate in our studied neonatal intensive care unit was high. A variety of measures are recommended for reducing the rate of blood culture contamination to avoid undesirable outcomes associated with blood culture contamination.

© 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel



Related Articles:

References

  1. Hall KK, Lyman JA: Updated review of blood culture contamination. Clin Microbiol Rev 2006;19:788–802.
    External Resources
  2. Ernst DJ: Controlling blood-culture contamination rates. MLO Med Lab Obs 2004;36:14–18.
    External Resources
  3. Weinstein MP: Blood culture contamination: persisting problems and partial progress. J Clin Microbiol 2003;41:2275–2278.
    External Resources
  4. Bekeris LG, Tworek JA, Walsh MK, Valenstein PN: Trends in blood culture contamination: a College of American Pathologist Q-Tracks study of 356 institutions. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2005;129:1222–1225.
    External Resources
  5. Weinstein MP, Towns ML, Quartey SM, Mirrett S, Reimer LG, Parmigiani G, Reller LB: The clinical significance of positive blood cultures in the 1990s: a prospective comprehensive evaluation of the microbiology, epidemiology, and outcome of bacteremia and fungemia in adults. Clin Infect Dis 1997;24:584–602.
    External Resources
  6. Ros SP, Herman BE, Beissel TJ: Occult bacteremia: is there a standard of care? Pediatr Emerg Care 1994;10:264–267.
    External Resources
  7. Souvenir D, Anderson DE Jr, Palpant S, Mroch H, Askin S, Anderson J, Claridge J, Eiland J, Malone C, Garrison MW, Watson P, Campbell DM: Blood cultures positive for coagulase-negative staphylococci: antisepsis, pseudobacteremia, and therapy of patients. J Clin Microbiol 1998;36:1923–1926.
    External Resources
  8. Reller LB, Murray PR, MacLowry JD: Cumitech 1A, Blood Cultures II. Washington, JA II (coordinating ed). Washington, American Society for Microbiology, 1982.
  9. Schifman RB, Strand CL, Meier FA, Howanitz PJ: Blood culture contamination: a College of American Pathologists Q-Probes study involving 640 institutions and 497,134 specimens from adult patients. Arch Pathol Lab Med 1998;122:216–221.
    External Resources
  10. Winn WC, Allen SD, Janda WM, Koneman EW, Procop GW, Schreckenberger PC, Woods GL: Koneman’s Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology, ed 6. Philadelphia, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2006.
  11. Archibald LK, Pallangyo K, Kazembe P, Reller LB: Blood culture contamination in Tanzania, Malawi, and the United States: a microbiological tale of three cities. J Clin Microbiol 2006;44:4425–4429.
    External Resources
  12. Tokars JI: Predictive value of blood cultures positive for coagulase-negative staphylococci: implications for patient care and health care quality assurance. Clin Infect Dis 2004;39:333–341.
    External Resources
  13. Richter SS, Beekmann SE, Croco JL, Diekema DJ, Koontz FP, Pfaller MA, Doern GV: Minimizing the workup of blood culture contaminants: implementation and evaluation of a laboratory-based algorithm. J Clin Microbiol 2002;40:2437–2444.
    External Resources
  14. Magadia RR, Weinstein MP: Laboratory diagnosis of bacteremia and fungemia. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2001;15:1009–1024.
    External Resources
  15. Bates DW, Goldman L, Lee TH: Contaminant blood cultures and resource utilization: the true consequences of false-positive results. JAMA 1991;265:365–369.
    External Resources
  16. Cunney RJ, McNamara EB, Alansari N, Loo B, Smyth EG: The impact of blood culture reporting and clinical liaison on the empiric treatment of bacteremia. J Clin Pathol 1997;50:1010–1012.
    External Resources
  17. Kim SD, McDonald LC, Jarvis WR, McAllister SK, Jerris R, Carson LA, Miller JM: Determining the significance of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from blood cultures at a community hospital: a role for species and strain identification. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2000;21:213–217.
    External Resources
  18. Fagon JY, Chastre J, Wolff M, Gervais C, Parer-Aubas S, Stéphan F, Similowski T, Mercat A, Diehl JL, Sollet JP, Tenaillon A: Invasive and noninvasive strategies for management of suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2000;132:621–630.
    External Resources
  19. Rupp ME, Archer GL: Coagulase-negative staphylococci: pathogens associated with medical progress. Clin Infect Dis 1994;19:231–243.
    External Resources
  20. Bouza E, Sousa D, Muñoz P, Rodríguez-Créixems M, Fron C, Lechuz JG: Bloodstream infections: a trial of the impact of different methods of reporting positive blood culture results. Clin Infect Dis 2004;39:1161–1169.
    External Resources
  21. Little JR, Murray PR, Traynor PS, Spitznagel E: A randomized trial of povidone-iodine compared with iodine tincture for venipuncture site disinfection: effects on rates of blood culture contamination. Am J Med 1999;107:119–125.
    External Resources
  22. Mimoz O, Karim A, Mercat A, Cosseron M, Falissard B, Parker F, Richard C, Samii K, Nordmann P: Chlorhexidine compared with povidone-iodine as skin preparation before blood culture: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 1999;131:834–837.
    External Resources
  23. Mylotte JM, Tayara A: Blood cultures: clinical aspects and controversies. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2000;19:157–163.
    External Resources
  24. Schifman RB, Pindur A: The effect of skin disinfection materials on reducing blood culture contamination. Am J Clin Pathol 1993;99:536–538.
    External Resources
  25. Alpern ER, Alessandrini EA, Bell LM, Shaw KN, McGowan KL: Occult bacteremia from a pediatric emergency department: current prevalence, time to detection, and outcome. Pediatrics 2000;106:505–511.
    External Resources
  26. Surdulescu S, Utamsingh D, Shekar R: Phlebotomy teams reduce blood-culture contamination rate and save money. Clin Perform Qual Health Care 1998;56:60–62.
  27. Segal GS, Chamberlain JM: Resource utilization and contaminated blood cultures in children at risk for occult bacteremia. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154:469–473.
    External Resources
  28. Suwanpimolkul G, Pongkumpai M, Suankratay C: A randomized trial of 2% chlorhexidine tincture compared with 10% aqueous povidone-iodine for venipuncture site disinfection: effects on blood culture contamination rates. J Infect 2008;56:354–359.
    External Resources
  29. Fleisher GR: Management of children with occult bacteremia who are treated in the emergency department. Rev Infect Dis 1991;13:156–159.

Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Original Paper

Received: August 12, 2009
Accepted: June 13, 2010
Published online: January 20, 2011
Issue release date: January 2011

Number of Print Pages: 4
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 3

ISSN: 1011-7571 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0151 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/MPP

Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer

Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

Article Tools
Article Details

2011, Vol.20, No. 2

January 2011

Article

Recommend This
Open Access Gateway
TOP