The rapid detection of microorganisms from blood culture is important because of its impact on appropriate selection and duration of antimicrobial therapy. The present study compared the ability of a rapid DNA probe assay to detect bacterial growth in blood culture specimens to their detection by continuous-monitoring blood culture systems (CMBCS). A total of 1700 blood cultures collected from 3 intensive care nurseries were analyzed. A 3cc aliquot of blood was removed from each culture during early incubation (mean 14 hrs), processed and analyzed by the DNA probe.

  1. a

    131 (7.7%) of 1700 blood cultures were positive by CMBCS yielding 137 organisms.

  2. b

    Coagulase negative staphylococcus (CNS) accounted for 92 (67%) of the isolated organisms. Other organisms isolated included: Klebsiella, E. coli, Enterococcus, Enterobacter, Serratia, S.aureus, P. Aeruginosa, S. agalactiae, S. mitis, S. salivarius, and S. bovis.

  3. c

    Of 27 + cultures detected by CMBCS between 0 and 12 hrs, 23 (85%) were detected by probe. Of 72 + cultures detected by CMBCS between 12 and 24 hrs, 30 (42%) were detected by probe.

    Of 30 + cultures detected by CMBCS between 24 and 48 hrs, 4 (13%) were detected by probe.

    Of 2 organisms detected by CMBCS beyond 48 hrs, both were CNS. One was detected at 51 hrs and the other at 5 days, the latter being clinically insignificant. Neither was detected by probe.

  4. d

    78% of + cultures were detected by CMBCS in ≤ 24 hrs. Of these, 54% were detected by probe. 99% of clinically significant organisms were detected by CMBCS in ≤ 48 hrs. Of these, 44% were detected by probe.

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