Blood cultures in paediatrics: a narrative review

Abstract

Blood culture is one of the most important investigations to detect bloodstream infection, but in children, blood cultures are often omitted or poorly collected. This review outlines the procedural flow for blood cultures in paediatrics including the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases, bearing in mind the differing contexts and resources available across Africa. The aim is to discuss clinical practicalities and laboratory logistics of blood culture samples, and to provide a summary of recommendations to assist with maximising the potential benefit of blood cultures. Key recommendations include collecting the maximum recommended volume of blood according to age or weight-based guidelines, optimising laboratory processes to facilitate the quickest identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods feasible in local settings and ensuring prompt communication and discussion of results with clinicians in order to benefit patient management and antimicrobial stewardship. Microbiologistics, a new term referring to all possible improvements in the logistic chain from sampling to reporting of blood cultures, is also important.