title: BacT/Alert: an automated colorimetric microbial detection system.
abstract: BacT/Alert (Organon Teknika Corp., Durham, N.C.) is an automated microbial detection system based on the colorimetric detection of CO2 produced by growing microorganisms. Results of an evaluation of the media, sensor, detection system, and detection algorithm indicate that the system reliably grows and detects a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. Results of a limited pilot clinical trial with a prototype research instrument indicate that the system is comparable to the radiometric BACTEC 460 system in its ability to grow and detect microorganisms in blood. On the basis of these initial findings, large-scale clinical trials comparing BacT/Alert with other commercial microbial detection systems appear warranted.
authors.affiliation: Organon Teknika Corporation, Durham, North Carolina 27704.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Thorpe
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: DiGuiseppi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Willert
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mirrett
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Reller
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D003124:Colorimetry; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D009181:Mycoses / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide