Guide to white blood counts & cultures

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What is a blood culture?

Blood culture is a microbiological culture of blood. It is employed to detect

infections that are spreading through the bloodstream (such as bacteremia,

septicemia amongst others, this is possible because the bloodstream is usually a

sterile environment. Blood cultures were pioneered in the early 20th century.

Indications of septicemia: · Core temperature out of normal range. · Focal signs

of infection. · Tachycardia, hyper or hypotension or raised respiratory rate. ·

Chills or rigors. · Raised or very low WCC. · New or worsening confusion. The

signs of sepsis may be minimal or absent in the very young and the elderly. To

identify the causative organisms in severe pneumonia, postpartum fever, pelvic

inflammatory disease, cannulae sepsis, neonatal epiglottitis and sepsis.

Investigations of patients with pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO).

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Glossary of terms:

http://www.chemotherapy.com/glossary/terms.jsp

FYI,

Lottie Duthu