Rapid Detection of Bacteremia by a Radiometric System: A Clinical Evaluation

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Abstract
Bactec, a radiometric method for the detection of bacterial growth in blood cultures, was used in comparison with conventional technics in 1,261 aerobic blood cultures. Bactec monitors levels of 14CO2 produced during bacterial metabolism from 14C-glucose and other 14C substrates, including carbohydrates and amino acids present in the media. A 3–5-ml. sample of blood was drawn via a closed system into the Bactec vials, each of which contained 30 ml. of medium. A 5-ml. sample in 50 ml. of Columbia broth was used for conventional technics. All cultures were read daily for 10 days. A total of 311 blood cultures from 55 patients was positive by one or both methods. Bactec detected 91% of all positive cultures, compared with 88% detected by routine methods. Both methods detected 88% of all positive patients. Of the 311 positive blood cultures, 59% were detected first by Bactec, 11% were detected first by the routine method, and 30% required the same time for detection by both methods. These results show that Bactec is equal to our conventional technic in terms of number of positive cultures detected. Bactec also frequently detected positive cultures on the average 1 to 2 days sooner than the routine system.

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