Rapid detection of positive blood cultures with bioluminescence assay in comparison to Gram staining.
A bioluminescence assay for the rapid detection of bacteria in blood culture bottles was developed and the results compared with the findings of microscopic examination. For this purpose 50 culture bottles supplemented with blood were inoculated with bacteria. After 4, 6 and 7 h of incubation at 37 degrees C samples were removed and examined microscopically and with bioluminescence technique measuring bacterial ATP in whole blood. Colony counts were performed at each interval. The limit of detection in bioluminescence assays was reached at a bacterial density of 1 X 10(5) CFU/ml (p less than 0.001) using Escherichia coli ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25922. At the ame time 19 out of 20 microscopic examinations were positive. The results indicate that the bioluminescence technique has an equal sensitivity in detecting bacterial growth in blood culture bottles as the microscopic examination using stained smears. The bioluminescence technique has the potential of automation.
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification