Are Follow-Up Blood Cultures Necessary for Gram-Negative Bacteremia?

Despite the authors' conclusions, it may be reasonable to repeat blood cultures in patients who become or remain febrile.

In contrast to bacteremia due to Staphylococcus aureus, gram-negative rod bacteremia (GNRB) is often transient, and the length of therapy is not defined. Nevertheless, during antimicrobial therapy for GNRB, it is common to obtain follow-up blood cultures (FUBCs).

To determine the utility of this practice, investigators analyzed 500 episodes of bacteremia at a tertiary-hospital during 2015. A total of 140 patients were identified as having true GNRB, defined as a single positive blood culture not considered to be a contaminant. Of these, 52 (37%) had FUBCs performed, with an average of 2.32 repeats.

FUBCs were positive in eight patients (15%) with GNRB, including five with Escherichia coli and one each with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marc…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Are Follow-Up Blood Cultures Necessary for Gram-Negative Bacteremia?

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Reviewing Author