Blood Culture Results Before and After Antimicrobial Administration in Patients With Severe Manifestations of Sepsis: A Diagnostic Study -

Blood Culture Results Before and After Antimicrobial Administration in Patients With Severe Manifestations of Sepsis: A Diagnostic Study
Information type: Other primary research
Source: Annals of Internal Medicine
Specialities: Critical care | Emergency medicine and urgent care | Infection and infectious diseases
Summary
Analysis of blood cultures from 325 patients concludes initiation of empirical antimicrobials (AM) significantly reduced sensitivity of blood cultures drawn after treatment initiation (pre-AM blood culture positive in 31.4% samples vs post-AM blood cultures positive in 19.4%).
UKMi comment
In a related editorial, the authors discuss the findings of this study which imply support for existing recommendations to withhold antimicrobial treatment until after blood is drawn in order to maximise the chances of identifying the culprit pathogens in patients with sepsis.
Related links: editorial