Enumeration of bacteria in clinically significant blood cultures in neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients using a pour plate method.
A 3-year review of clinically significant positive blood cultures was undertaken to assess any differences in the blood bacterial count between haematological neutropenic and other non-neutropenic patients. The pour-plate method was used. In Gram-positive infections the pour plate contained colonies in 61% of haematological patients and in 41% of others. In Gram-negative infection the figures were 54% and 25% respectively. The mean numbers of bacteria per ml of blood were increased in haematological patients compared with the others for both groups of organisms.
Department of Bacteriology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
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Spencer
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000382:microbiology*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology*