title: A novel simple method for quantifying bacteria from endotracheal aspirates.
abstract: A convenient dipstrip method (Bacteruritest; Mast Diagnostics) for bacterial quantification was evaluated with 42 endotracheal aspirates. For 31 specimens, the dipstrip method yielded counts within a 10-fold range of surface plate counts. Two specimens yielded counts by the dipstrip within a 100-fold range of plate counts. Six specimens yielded confluent growth at the greatest dilution tested by the dipstrip method, and counts > 10(10) cfu/ml in the surface plate method. Three specimens yielded no detectable growth by the dipstrip and surface plate counts < 10(2) cfu/ml. Dipstrips provide a cheap, convenient method for the routine quantification of the bacterial load in endotracheal aspirates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paull
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000382:microbiology*