Blood culture contamination with Enterococci and skin organisms: implications for surveillance definitions of primary bloodstream infections.
Enterococci are a common cause of bacteremia but are also common contaminants. In our institution, approximately 17% of positive blood cultures with enterococci are mixed with skin organisms. Such isolates are probable contaminants. The specificity of the current definition of primary bloodstream infection could be increased by excluding enterococci mixed with skin organisms.
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Electronic address: JoshuaF@adhb.govt.nz.
Joshua T
JT
Freeman
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Luke Francis
LF
Chen
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Daniel J
DJ
Sexton
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Deverick J
DJ
Anderson
D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*