Blood cultures are microbial cultures, done to detect the presence of bacteria, or yeasts, which may have spread from a specific site in the body into the bloodstream. It is usually ordered when having symptoms of septicemia, or sepsis, which indicates that bacteria or their products are harming the body. Septicemia can decrease the blood flow to the brain, heart, and kidneys as well as alter blood clotting components, leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation. Symptoms may include: chills, fever, nausea, rapid heartbeat, confusion, and changes in organ systems. A POSITIVE result would mean that there is a bacterial or fungal infection in the bloodstream that needs to be treated immediately. Septicemia can be life-threatening, especially in immunocompromised patients, and it can cause endocarditis, meningitis, osteomyelitis, cellulitis, or septic arthritis.
Follow stringent aseptic technique. Use special culture bottles provided. 3-4 sets of blood cultures/day should be sufficient to detect thecausative agent of bacteraemia. For infants: 1-5 ml whole blood/100 ml media. Input
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