title: Blood cultures: principles and techniques.
abstract: Detecting the presence of microorganisms in blood is an important function of the clinical microbiology laboratory. With prompt isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates, the clinician can modify the selection and dosage of the antimicrobics used initially to treat a suspected septicemia. Principles and techniques for blood collection, culture, examination, and reporting are reviewed.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000097:blood; D000985:Antisepsis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D001810:Blood Volume; D002002:Brucella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003470:Culture Media; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007919:Leptospira / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003470:Culture Media