Detection of bacteremia in patients receiving antimicrobial therapy: an evaluation of the antimicrobial removal device and 16B medium.

A total of 1097 blood specimens obtained from patients receiving antibacterial antimicrobial agents were processed by three blood culture systems: standard aerobic and anaerobic radiometric media, resin-containing radiometric medium (16B; Johnston Laboratories, Cockeysville, Md.), and aerobic and anaerobic radiometric media inoculated with blood processed in an Antimicrobial Removal Device (Marion Laboratories, Kansas City, Mo.). A total of 73 cultures, representing 45 unique septic episodes, yielded 81 clinically significant organisms. Forty-six organisms (28 septic episodes) were recovered in standard radiometric medium. 16B medium yielded 63 organisms (37 septic episodes). Sixty-nine organisms (42 septic episodes) were isolated from radiometric blood cultures inoculated with Antimicrobial Removal Device-processed blood. Contamination rates were not significantly different among the three systems. In comparison with standard radiometric blood cultures, the length of time to detection of positive blood cultures was shorter with both 16B medium and with Antimicrobial Removal Device-processed cultures. Comparison of the latter two systems suggested enhanced recovery of clinically significant organisms in radiometric blood cultures inoculated with blood processed in the Antimicrobial Removal Device. There was no difference in the length of time to detection of positive blood cultures.