Comparison of broth and filtration methods for culturing of intravenous fluids.
Ninety-six specimens of intravenous fluid solutions (D5/025 NS) were inoculated with S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, E. agglomerans, or C. albicans in concentrations of .1, 1, 10, or 10(2) organisms/ml. They were cultured in tubes containing 5 ml of double enriched broth and after passage through a .45 mu pore membrane filter. After 24 hours of incubation, broth cultures were 68% as sensitive as the filter cultures (p less than .001). At the lowest concentration (.1 organism/ml) broth cultures wer only 45% as sensitive as the membrane filter technique after 24 hours of growth (p less than .001). Membrane filters provide a rapid method to accurately detect and quantitate the presence of microbial contamination even at very low levels of concentration. The simplicity and accuracy of the filtration method offers the clinician a valuable adjunct in managing suspected cases of intravenous fluid related sepsis.
D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002176:Candida albicans; D003470:Culture Media; D004925:Escherichia; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000254:growth & development; D008851:Micropore Filters; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000254:growth & development; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development
D003470:Culture Media