Blood culture contamination with Enterococci and skin organisms: implications for surveillance definitions of primary bloodstream infections.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

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.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Freeman, JT; Chen, LF; Sexton, DJ; Anderson, DJ

Published Date

  • June 2011

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 39 / 5

Start / End Page

  • 436 - 438

PubMed ID

  • 21239084

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1527-3296

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.ajic.2010.07.014

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States