Bloodstream infections Flashcards
Bacteremia
When viable organisms are present in the blood. Threatens all organ systems. Continuous- caused by meningitis, osteomyelitis, osteoarthritis, pneumonia, typhoid fever, or peritonitis. Transient- after manipulation of mucous membranes or infected tissues
Septicemia (sepsis)
Systemic disease associated with pathogenic organisms or bacterial toxins in the blood stream: endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- gram negative organisms, or exotoxins- gram positive organisms
Septic shock
Acute circulatory failure caused by toxins of microorganisms. Causes multiple organ failure, acute respiratory distress, DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation), tissue destruction, or death
Other laboratory findings with septic shock (4)
- Fever > 38C or hypothermia < 36 degrees.
- Leukocytosis (total WBC > 10,000 leukocytes/mm3
- Failure to thrive (neonates)
- Low grade fever
Predisposing factors for sepsis (7)
- Immunosuppression
- Underlying Disease – heart disease, rheumatic fever
- Medical devices – shunts, grafts, cardiac prostheses
- Surgery or other invasive procedures – cardiac catheterization
- Wide spread use of broad spectrum antimicrobial agents-colonization with antimicrobial resistant organisms or decreased normal flora
- Age
- Longer survival of debilitated and seriously ill patients
Phlebitis
infection/inflammation of the vein. Infections associated with intravascular catheters
Endarteritis
infection/inflammation of the inner lining of arteries. Infections associated with intravascular catheters
Carditis/myocarditis
inflammation of the heart muscle
Endocarditis
Infection of the heart, usually the valves. Vegetation – aggregates of fibrin and bacteria on the valves
Pericarditis
Infection of the region around the heart. Pericardial fluid – 15-20ml fluid between the heart and protective tissue covering
Symptoms of heart/blood vessel infections (3)
- Acute endocarditis
- Subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE)
- Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis
Antibodies formed against M protein of group A Strep form and immune complexes. Immune complexes deposit in glomeruli causing renal pathology
Types of entry of organisms into the blood (7)
- Genitourinary- 25%
Respiratory- 20% - Abscess- 10%
- Surgical wound-5%
- Biliary Tract- 5%
- Miscellaneous- 10%
- Unknown origin- 25%
Automated system of processing blood cultures
Bottle noted as positive by detection methodology, technologist removes immediately for processing
Indications of a positive blood culture (4)
Indications of a positive blood culture:
a. Turbidity
b. Gas production
c. Hemolysis
d. Colony growth on blood layer
Immediate, preliminary workup of blood infections (5)
- Gram stain
- Report results, document call
- Plate correct media
- Setup preliminary testing (dependent upon gram stain)
- Setup PRELIMINARY antibiotics
Identification and susceptibility testing on subcultured organisms
Direct susceptibility tests from positive culture broth are NOT approved BUT may find some institution provide info. Direct tests:
a. Molecular - NAAT
b. Preliminary ID – API (if molecular ID not available)
c. Thermostable Dnase (if molecular ID not available for cocci in clusters)
Reporting results
Positive blood cultures are critical results and should be immediately verbally reported to the patient’s physician. Date, time, and name of the person accepting results should be documented. The clinician should be provided with all salient information, like gram stain morphology or the number of positive blood cultures. Verbal report should be followed with a written report. With negative cultures, preliminary reports are issued at 24 and again at 48 hr. Final report: No growth in 5 days
Contamination of specimens (5 prevalent species)
Contamination with normal flora should be less than 3%. Probable contamination if single positive culture growing:
1. Bacillus spp.
2. Corynebacterium spp.
3. Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS)
4. Cutibacterium acnes
5. Streptococcus spp.