Iffat Chaudhry, Naseer Armed Chaudhry, Muhammad Munir, Raheela Hussain, Muhammd Tayyab.
The Optimum Incubation Period necessary for Blood Culture Broth to Detect Clinically Significant Organisms.
Biomedica Jan ;16:6-9.

The blood culture broth is routinely subcultured aerobically within 12 to 24 hours after the specimen is received, anaerobically after 48 hours and finally after 4 to 5 days if culture appears negative. To evaluate the optimal time required for routine subculture of blood culture broth, 364 blood culture specimens were collected. Out of 364 blood cultures, 216 were positive on gross examination, 210 on Gram staining and 215 on subculture. Among 216 positive tryptic soya broths on visual examination, 193 were positive on second day, 22 were positive on third day and only one was positive on fourth day. Similarly out of 210 positive tryptic soya broths positive on Gram staining, one hundred and eighty seven were positive on second day, 22 on third day and only one on fourth day. Subsequently among 215 tryptic soya broths positive on subculture, one hundred ninety two were positive on second day, 22 on third day and one on fourth day. Subsequently among 215 tryptic soya broths positive on subculture, one hundred ninety two were positive on second day, 22 on third day and one on fourth day. In present study significantly higher number of tryptic soya broth cultures found to positive (P<0.001) on visual examination, Gram staining and on subculture on second day.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com