scholarly journals 75. Utility of Fungal Blood Cultures in Portland, Oregon

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S154-S155
Author(s):  
Sujeet Govindan ◽  
Luke Strnad

Abstract Background Fungal blood cultures (fungal isolators) should be used, if at all, primarily for identification of mold infections. At our institution we noted patients having fungal blood cultures drawn in many other situations, including when the primary team was concerned for candida bloodstream infection. We sought to describe the utility of this practice and of fungal blood cultures in general. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the results of fungal blood cultures for 2 years, from 3/1/2019-3/1/2021. We evaluated the number of episodes, culture results, whether there was a had prior bloodstream infection, and risk factors for fungal infection including renal replacement (RRT), ECMO, and immunosuppression (IS). Immunosuppression was defined as chronic systemic steroid use, recent receipt of high dose steroids within 2 weeks, history of organ transplantation, history of stem cell transplantation, hematologic malignancies, or receipt of a biologic agent. Results 187 fungal blood cultures were drawn in 143 patients - 80 cultures in 70 patients from 3/2019-3/2020 and 107 cultures in 73 patients from 3/2020-3/2021. Only 3 patients had positive fungal blood cultures:1 (Candida krusei) from 3/2019-3/2020 and 2 (Candida albicans and Cyrptococcus neoformans) from 3/2020-3/2021; in all 3 cases the organism also grew from standard blood culture isolators. From 3/2019-3/2020, 1/80 cultures were drawn from an individual on ECMO while 15/80 were drawn from individuals on RRT, and 32/80 were in a IS individuals. From 3/2020-3/2021, 45/107 cultures were drawn from an individual on ECMO, 24/107 were drawn in an individual on RRT, and 73/107 were drawn in a IS individuals. The majority of individuals in whom a fungal blood culture was drawn during 3/2020-3/2021 were individuals with COVID-19. Upon chart review most of the cultures were drawn due to concern for candidemia. Results of fungal blood cultures drawn from 3/2019-3/2021 at OHSU Conclusion Fungal blood cultures have an extremely low yield at our institution, with a 1.6% positivity rate over a 2 year period, and all of those cultures were detected by standard blood culture isolators. Most of these cultures were drawn in situations where this test has no utility. Furthermore, the test has limited utility to detect dimorphic and mold bloodstream infections. Restriction of this test may limit inappropriate use. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sho Ohyatsu ◽  
Tomoyuki Nariyama ◽  
Kotaro Matsumoto ◽  
Yuki Moritoki ◽  
Kentaro Kikuchi

Abstract Background The appearance of reduced susceptibility to daptomycin in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has recently been reported. It is unclear how likely MRSA involved in catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) is to dampen susceptibility to daptomycin. We investigated the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of daptomycin in MRSA isolated from the blood of patients with CRBSI and examined how it was affected by previous anti-MRSA drug treatment. Methods A total of 115 patients whose blood culture samples were found to contain MRSA were enrolled in this study. The MIC of daptomycin and vancomycin and whether the subjects had a history of anti-MRSA drug treatment were investigated and compared between the CRBSI and non-CRBSI groups. Results The mean MIC of daptomycin was significantly higher for the 46 CRBSI-related MRSA isolates than for the 69 non-CRBSI-related MRSA isolates (0.78 vs. 0.33, respectively; p<0.0001). Among the CRBSI-related MRSA isolates, those collected from patients with a history of anti-MRSA drug treatment had significantly higher MIC (1.27 vs. 0.53, respectively; p <0.01). During treatment, MRSA was detected again in 10 CRBSI and 4 non-CRBSI patients, and all of the CRBSI-related MRSA isolates exhibited 1-2 log2 increases in their daptomycin MIC. Conclusions It is considered that when MRSA in catheter biofilms is exposed to anti-MRSA drugs, strains with reduced susceptibility to daptomycin are able to survive and disperse into the blood. Catheters should be removed if an MRSA-induced CRBSI is suspected. Further study of whether high-dose daptomycin treatment is effective when catheters cannot be immediately removed is needed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 534-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J Rogers ◽  
Daniel S Lockhart ◽  
Rebecca Clarke ◽  
Helen V Bennett ◽  
Yassar Kadoom ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Currently it can take up to 5 days to rule out bloodstream infection. With the low yield of blood cultures (approximately 10%), a significant number of patients are potentially exposed to inappropriate therapy that can lead to adverse events. More rapid rule out can accelerate deescalation or cessation of antimicrobial therapy, improving patient outcomes. Methods A method is described, termed enzymatic template generation and amplification (ETGA), that universally and sensitively detects DNA polymerase activity liberated from viable bacteria and fungi isolated from blood culture samples as a measure of bloodstream infection. ETGA was applied in a diagnostic test format to identify negative blood cultures after an overnight incubation. Performance data for a prototype (Cognitor) and automated (Magnitor) version of the test are presented. Results The Cognitor manual assay displayed analytical reactivity for a panel of the 20 most prevalent causes of bloodstream infection, with a detection range of 28–9050 CFU/mL. Validation with 1457 clinical blood cultures showed a negative predictive value of 99.0% compared to blood culture incubation for 5 days. Magnitor showed an improved detection range of 1–67 CFU/mL, allowing for detection of bacteria-supplemented blood cultures after 2–8 h incubation, and Candida albicans-supplemented blood cultures at 16–22 h, 5–15 h faster than blood culture. Removing an aliquot from a blood culture bottle and replacing the bottle into the incubator was shown not to result in contaminating organisms being introduced. Conclusions The described method displays excellent breadth and detection for microbial cells and demonstrates the capability of confirming negative blood cultures after an overnight incubation in a blood culture instrument.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S487-S488
Author(s):  
Taichi Tajima ◽  
Shinya Tsuzuki ◽  
Yusuke Asai ◽  
Mio Endo ◽  
Nobuaki Matsunaga ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Blood culture tests are useful for accurate diagnosis of bacteremia and selection of antimicrobial treatment, and they are essential for instituting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) countermeasures. This study investigated blood culture submission rates in Japan and their association with the incidence of bloodstream infections. Methods Blood culture data recorded in the Japan Surveillance for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology (J-SIPHE) database from January to December 2019 and data submitted for consecutive 12 months from acute care hospitals (hospitals with a mean length of patient stay of ≤19 days) were included for analysis. Samples comprised 1 set of blood culture samples (aerobic and anaerobic bottles) defined as one submission. The annual blood culture submission rate was calculated as the total number of submitted blood cultures per 1000 patients/day. The incidence of bloodstream infections was calculated as the number of positive blood cultures excluding contaminated specimens per 1000 patients/day. The blood culture submission rate was then divided into four categories, respectively: category 1: 0–15; category 2: 15–30; category 3: 30–45; and category 4: 45–80. The Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to determine overall difference among 4 submission rate categories and the Dunn test with Bonferroni correction was used to compare pairs of submission rate categories. Filtering of facilities for data analysis Results A total of 117 hospitals were included in the analysis. The median number of beds was 415.0 (interquartile ratio [IQR]: 274.5–549.5). The median incidence of bloodstream infection was 2.78 (2.17–3.87). The median blood culture submission rate was 26.18 (17.20–35.76). The median incidence of bloodstream infection by category of blood culture submission rate was 1.39, 2.53, 3.61, and 4.48, respectively; with a significant difference observed among the four categories overall (p&lt; 0.01). Significant differences were observed between categories 1 and 2 and between categories 2 and 3 (both p&lt; 0.01) but not between categories 3 and 4 (p=0.758). Characteristics of the acute hospitals by category of blood culture submission rate Incidence of bloodstream infections by category of blood culture submission rate Conclusion The blood culture submission rate is considered to be around 45 in the acute hospital setting in Japan. The incidence of bloodstream infections is greatly affected by submission rates. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charity Wiafe Akenten ◽  
Kennedy Gyau Boahen ◽  
Kwadwo Sarfo Marfo ◽  
Nimako Sarpong ◽  
Denise Dekker ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The increasing incidence of multi-antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, coupled with the risk of co-infections in malaria-endemic regions, complicates accurate diagnosis and prolongs hospitalization, thereby increasing the total cost of illness. Further, there are challenges in making the correct choice of antibiotic treatment and duration, precipitated by a lack of access to microbial culture facilities in many hospitals in Ghana. The aim of this case report is to highlight the need for blood cultures or alternative rapid tests to be performed routinely in malaria patients, to diagnose co-infections with bacteria, especially when symptoms persist after antimalarial treatment. Case presentation A 6-month old black female child presented to the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital with fever, diarrhea, and a 3-day history of cough. A rapid diagnostic test for malaria and Malaria microscopy was positive for P. falciparum with a parasitemia of 224 parasites/μl. The patient was treated with Intravenous Artesunate, parental antibiotics (cefuroxime and gentamicin) and oral dispersible zinc tablets in addition to intravenous fluids. Blood culture yielded Acinetobacter baumanii, which was resistant to all of the third-generation antibiotics included in the susceptibility test conducted, but sensitive to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. After augmenting treatment with intravenous ciprofloxacin, all symptoms resolved. Conclusion Even though this study cannot confirm whether the bacterial infection was nosocomial or otherwise, the case highlights the necessity to test malaria patients for possible co-infections, especially when fever persists after parasites have been cleared from the bloodstream. Bacterial blood cultures and antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be routinely performed to guide treatment options for febril illnesses in Ghana in order to reduce inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and limit the development of antimicrobial resistance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S682-S682
Author(s):  
Maria S Rueda Altez ◽  
Lamia Soghier ◽  
Joseph M Campos ◽  
James Bost ◽  
Jiaxiang Gai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Blood cultures have high sensitivity to detect bacteremia in septic neonates when &gt;=1 ml of blood is collected. Neonatologists often cite low confidence in microbiologic sampling as rationale for continuing antibiotics without a focus of infection despite negative blood cultures, resulting in prolonged antimicrobial therapy. We aim to describe the blood culture sample volumes in NICU patients, to identify factors associated with sample volumes &lt; 1ml, and to compare the sample volumes of patients treated for culture-negative sepsis with those with bloodstream infections and those treated for a ≤72-hour sepsis rule-out Methods Data from this observational cohort study were collected retrospectively and prospectively from NICU patients with blood cultures obtained from September 2018 to February 2019. Clinical data were collected through chart review. All inoculated culture bottles were weighed for volume calculation. We determined the association of age, weight, sample source, and time of collection with volume &lt; 1mL. Continuous variables were analyzed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, and categorical variables using chi-squared test. For aim 3, the volumes of the groups were compared using analysis of variance. Results A total of 310 blood cultures were identified, corresponding to 159 patients. Of these, 49 (16%) were positive. Among the negative blood cultures, 86% were collected in patients who subsequently received antibiotics (Figure 1). Median inoculated volume was 0.6 ml (IQR: 0.1-2.4). Weight and age at time of culture collection, source of sample, and time of collection were not significantly associated with the inoculation of &lt; 1ml of blood. Median volume of blood was 0.6ml (0.3-0.6) for sepsis rule-out, 0.6ml (0.2-0.6) for bloodstream infection, and 0.6ml (0.6-1.4) for culture-negative sepsis. No difference was found among the three groups (p=0.54) Figure 1. Classification of blood cultures identified during study period Conclusion The blood volume collected for cultures in the NICU is lower than recommended. Clinical and environmental characteristics are not significantly associated with the inoculated volume. The volume of blood sampled does not differ in patients with culture-negative sepsis, bloodstream infection and sepsis rule-out, and should not be a justification for longer duration of antibiotic therapy Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1170
Author(s):  
Gabriel Haddad ◽  
Sara Bellali ◽  
Tatsuki Takakura ◽  
Anthony Fontanini ◽  
Yusuke Ominami ◽  
...  

Blood culture is currently the most commonly used method for diagnosing sepsis and bloodstream infections. However, the long turn-around-time to achieve microbe identification remains a major concern for clinical microbiology laboratories. Gram staining for preliminary identification remains the gold standard. We developed a new rapid strategy using a tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM) and compared its performance with Gram staining for the detection of micro-organisms and preliminary identification directly from blood cultures. We first optimised the sample preparation for twelve samples simultaneously, saving time on imaging. In this work, SEM proved its ability to identify bacteria and yeasts in morphotypes up to the genus level in some cases. We blindly tested 1075 blood cultures and compared our results to the Gram staining preliminary identification, with MALDI-TOF/MS as a reference. This method presents major advantages such as a fast microbe identification, within an hour of the blood culture being detected positive, low preparation costs, and data traceability. This SEM identification strategy can be developed into an automated assay from the sample preparation, micrograph acquisition, and identification process. This strategy could revolutionise urgent microbiological diagnosis of infectious diseases.


2004 ◽  
Vol 132 (5) ◽  
pp. 921-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. MÜLLER-PREMRU ◽  
P. ČERNELČ

Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) is common in haematological patients with febrile neutropenia. As the clinical signs of CRBSI are usually scarce and it is difficult to differentiate from blood culture contamination, we tried to confirm CRBSI by molecular typing of CNS isolated from paired blood cultures (one from a peripheral vein and another from the central venous catheter hub). Blood cultures were positive in 59 (36%) out of 163 patients. CNS were isolated in 24 (40%) patients; in 14 from paired blood cultures (28 isolates) and in 10 from a single blood culture. CNS from paired blood cultures were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined and bacteria were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of bacterial genomic DNA. In 13 patients, the antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was identical. The PFGE patterns from paired blood cultures were identical or closely related in 10 patients, thus confirming the presence of CRBSI. In the remaining four patients they were unrelated, and suggested a mixed infection or contamination. Since CNS isolates from three patients had identical PFGE patterns, they were probably nosocomially spread amongst them.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Granato ◽  
Melissa M. Unz ◽  
Raymond H. Widen ◽  
Suzane Silbert ◽  
Stephen Young ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The iC-GPC Assay (iCubate, Huntsville, AL) is a qualitative multiplex test for the detection of five of the most common Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium) responsible for bacterial bloodstream infections, performed directly from positive blood cultures. The assay also detects the presence of the mecA, vanA, and vanB resistance determinants. This study comparatively evaluated the performance of the iC-GPC Assay against the Verigene Gram-positive blood culture (BC-GP) assay (Luminex Corp., Austin, TX) for 1,134 patient blood culture specimens positive for Gram-positive cocci. The iC-GPC Assay had an overall percent agreement with the BC-GP assay of 95.5%. Discordant specimens were further analyzed by PCR and a bidirectional sequencing method. The results indicate that the iC-GPC Assay together with the iCubate system is an accurate and reliable tool for the detection of the five most common Gram-positive bacteria and their resistance markers responsible for bloodstream infections.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3334
Author(s):  
Safaa M. Ramadan ◽  
Stefan Suciu ◽  
Marian J. P. L. Stevens-Kroef ◽  
Roelof Willemze ◽  
Sergio Amadori ◽  
...  

We report the outcomes of secondary acute myeloid leukemia (s-AML) patients included in one of 13 European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) collaborative AML trials using intensive remission-induction chemotherapy. Among 8858 patients treated between May 1986 and January 2008, 960 were identified as having s-AML, either after MDS (cohort A; n = 508), occurring after primary solid tumors or hematologic malignancies other than MDS (cohort B; n = 361), or after non-malignant conditions or with a history of toxic exposure (cohort C; n = 91). Median age was 64 years, 60 years and 61 years in cohort A, B and C, respectively. Among patients ≤60 years and classified in the cohorts A or B (n = 367), the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 28%. There was a systematic improvement in the 5-year OS rate over three time periods (p < 0.001): 7.7% (95% CI: 1.3–21.7%) for patients treated before 1990 (period 1: n = 26), 23.3% (95% CI: 17.1–30.0%) for those treated between 1990 and 2000 (period 2: n = 188) and 36.5% (95% CI: 28.7–44.3%) for those treated in 2000 or later (period 3: n = 153). In multivariate analysis, male gender (HR = 1.39; p = 0.01), WBC ≥ 25 × 109/L (HR = 2.00; p < 0.0001), age 46-60 years (HR = 1.65; p < 0.001) and poor-risk cytogenetics (HR = 2.17; p < 0.0001) were independently associated with shorter OS, while being treated during period 2 (HR = 0.50, p = 0.003) or period 3 (HR = 0.43; p = 0.0008). Having received high-dose cytarabine (HD-AraC) (n = 48) in the induction chemotherapy (HR = 0.54, p = 0.012) was associated with a longer OS. In contrast, among patients >60 years of age (n = 502), the OS was dismal, and there was no improvement over time.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Barr ◽  
Andrew D. Kerkhoff ◽  
Charlotte Schutz ◽  
Amy M. Ward ◽  
Gerry R. Davies ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We assessed the additional diagnostic yield for Mycobacterium tuberculosis bloodstream infection (BSI) by doing more than one tuberculosis (TB) blood culture from HIV-infected inpatients. In a retrospective analysis of two cohorts based in Cape Town, South Africa, 72/99 (73%) patients with M. tuberculosis BSI were identified by the first of two blood cultures during the same admission, with 27/99 (27%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18 to 36%) testing negative on the first culture but positive on the second. In a prospective evaluation of up to 6 blood cultures over 24 h, 9 of 14 (65%) patients with M. tuberculosis BSI had M. tuberculosis grow on their first blood culture; 3 more patients (21%) were identified by a second independent blood culture at the same time point, and the remaining 2 were diagnosed only on the 4th and 6th blood cultures. Additional blood cultures increase the yield for M. tuberculosis BSI, similar to what is reported for nonmycobacterial BSI.


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