A dramatic increase in the positive blood culture rates of Helicobacter cinaedi: the evidence of differential detection abilities between the Bactec and BacT/Alert systems

Abstract

In our hospital, positive blood culture rates of Helicobacter cinaedi dramatically increased after introducing the Bactec system. A simulated culture model of H. cinaedi bacteremia demonstrated no positive signals using the BacT/Alert system, despite efficient growth in bottles. Clinically suspected H. cinaedi bacteremia should be monitored more closely when using the BacT/Alert system, preferably with subcultivation after 7days of incubation.

Keywords: Bacteremia; Blood culture system; Helicobacter cinaedi.