Blood cultures are done to look
for organisms in cases of suspected infection in the blood (bacteraemia
or septicaemia). The symptoms of a blood stream infection
include blood include fever and chills, along with other
systemic manifestations. The results help in selecting the
appropriate antibiotics for treatment.
How are they done?
The blood is usually drawn under
strict aseptic precautions, at the elbow. The local area is
cleaned thoroughly with an antiseptic and allowed to dry. A
tourniquet (elastic band) is applied around the upper arm,
which causes veins below the tourniquet to fill with blood.
The blood is collected in an airtight vial called a
vacutainer or in a syringe. The tourniquet is removed during
the procedure, to restore the circulation. After the blood
has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture
site is covered to stop any bleeding. Bacteraemia (the
presence of bacteria in blood) is usually intermittent, so a
series of blood cultures may be done in highly suspect
cases. The blood is transferred to a blood culture bottle,
which contains a liquid known as broth. The culture bottle
is kept at 37(C for some days.
The culture is examined for the presence of bacteria over
several days. If organisms are present, further tests are
done to identify the organism(s). A gram stain is done for a
provisional report so that suitable antibiotics can be
started. The final report includes the identity of the
organism(s) along with their sensitivity to antibiotics.
What are the normal values?
The blood culture is negative or
sterile i.e. there is no growth of bacteria in the culture
medium.
What are positive cultures?
It means that bacteria are
present in the blood. Common bacterial infections of the
blood are due to typhoid or paratyphoid bacteria, bacteria
causing pneumonia or those present in the gut. Bacterial
endocarditis is a life threatening infection that requires
blood cultures for a definitive diagnosis. The results of
the blood culture test help in diagnosis and proper
treatment of the infection.
Small Bowel Intussusception
Blood Culture Bottles
Blood Cultures - treatment of Blood Cultures,
Blood Cultures types, Disease medicines, Blood Cultures symptoms, Blood
Cultures and Disease symptoms, Blood Cultures symptoms Disease and
diagnosis, Symptoms and Solutions, Signs and Symptoms, type of Blood
Cultures, cause common, common Blood Cultures, Blood Cultures List, causes
list, Infectious Blood Cultures, Causes, Diseases , Types, Prevention,
Treatment and Facts, Blood Cultures information, Blood Cultures: Definition,
Blood Cultures names, medical Blood Cultures, medical Blood Cultures and
disorders, cell Blood Cultures, Blood Cultures Worldwide, Blood Cultures
Research, Blood Cultures Control, Blood Cultures Center, Digestive Blood
Cultures Week, Information about Blood Cultures, causes of different Blood
Cultures, Blood Cultures Articles, Blood Cultures and conditions, Health and
Blood Cultures, Blood Cultures Patients, Blood Cultures and Sciences, causes
of alzheimer's Blood Cultures, Blood Cultures causes, alternative medicine
heart Blood Cultures, body ailments, Blood Cultures medicines, medical
antiques, type of blood Blood Cultures
Quality
