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Role of multiple site blood cultures to document the clearance of bacteremia in neonates

Journal of Perinatology volume 27, pages 101–102 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the usefulness of two-site blood cultures for the documentation of bacterial clearance during initial treatment of culture proven neonatal sepsis.

Design/methods:

Clinical data were prospectively collected for 216 neonates who had blood cultures drawn for evaluation of possible sepsis. A positive diagnostic blood culture was followed by repeat blood cultures from two different peripheral sites after initiation of antimicrobial therapy.

Results:

Follow-up two-site cultures were drawn on 25 occasions at a median interval of 3 days after start of antimicrobial therapy for culture-proven sepsis in 15 neonates. On 12 occasions, follow-up blood cultures were both negative. On eight occasions, follow-up blood cultures grew the same organisms from both sites. However, follow-up two-site cultures on five occasions in four of the 15 infants grew organisms from one site but not the second site.

Conclusions:

Two-site blood cultures seem necessary to document bacterial clearance in response to antimicrobial therapy for culture-proven sepsis, and may help determine the appropriate duration of antimicrobial therapy by reducing false-negative results.

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Author notes

  1. I Bhagat

    Present address: Dr I Bhagat, Toledo Children's Hospital, Toledo, Ohio, USA

  2. T E Wiswell

    Present address: Florida Hospital, Orlando, Florida, 32804

  3. A R Spitzer

    Present address: Dr AR Spitzer, Pediatrix Medical Group, Sunrise, FL, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Health System, Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    S Sarkar

  2. State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, USA

    I Bhagat, T E Wiswell & A R Spitzer

Authors
  1. S Sarkar
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  2. I Bhagat
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  3. T E Wiswell
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  4. A R Spitzer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S Sarkar.

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Sarkar, S., Bhagat, I., Wiswell, T. et al. Role of multiple site blood cultures to document the clearance of bacteremia in neonates. J Perinatol 27, 101–102 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211636

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211636

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