Enhanced recovery of pseudomonas from blood cultures

Pseudomonas and staphylococcal septicaemia are frequent complications of paediatric patients with significant burns. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment afford the greatest likelihood of clinical response. Blood cultures from these patients may be negative or may become positive only after prolonged incubation. To evaluate more rapid culture methods for precise diagnosis, an in vitro study was done. The effects of venting and/or rotating on low inocula blood cultures was evaluated. Both venting and rotating contributed to more rapid bacterial growth and the effects were additive, affording a much more rapid and, therefore, potentially more useful culture method.