Bacterial Killing by Bacteriostatic Saline Solutions — Potential for Diagnostic Error

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Abstract
IN recent years the technic of transtracheal aspiration of pulmonary secretions for microbiological examination has been increasingly used for ascertaining the cause of acute pulmonary infection. The technic involves attempting a direct aspiration of the endobronchial contents. If this effort is not successful, 2 to 5 ml of sterile saline is instilled into the catheter to promote coughing, loosen secretions and provide a vehicle for aspiration.1 2 3 4 5 The saline may thus become the major component of the material recovered. The most convenient source of the small amounts of saline required for these procedures is often the multiple-dose vials available at nurses' . . .