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Prolonging culture to 15 days improves bacterial detection in bone and joint infections

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European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Since the optimal incubation period of cultures for diagnosis of bone and joint infections is still a matter of debate, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different incubation periods (5 and 15 days) on microbial isolation. Samples from 387 patients with bone and joint infections (including prosthetic ones) were analyzed from March 2012 to February 2014. In 197 patients (51 %) growth was obtained within 48 hrs, while in 124 (32 %) and 66 (17 %) patients cultures yielded positive results within and after 5 days of incubation, respectively. Of 449 microorganisms isolated, 247 grew within 48 hrs, 131 within the first 5 days of incubation while 71 were isolated after 5 days. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated pathogen within 48 hrs, while Propionibacteria were prevalently isolated after 5 days of incubation. Interestingly, about 25 % of microorganisms isolated after 5 days of incubation were coagulase-negative staphylococci. Extending incubation period of broth cultures improves isolation rates of pathogens involved in bone and joint infections thus improving management of these infections.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy

    L. Drago, E. De Vecchi, L. Cappelletti, C. Vassena, M. Toscano & M. Bortolin

  2. Laboratory of Technical Sciences for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science for Health, University of Milan, Via L. Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milan, Italy

    L. Drago

  3. Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Odontoiatric Sciences, University of Milan, Via C. Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy

    R. Mattina

  4. Centre for Reconstructive Surgery and Bone Infections, IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy

    C. L. Romanò

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  1. L. Drago
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  2. E. De Vecchi
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  3. L. Cappelletti
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  4. C. Vassena
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  5. M. Toscano
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  6. M. Bortolin
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  7. R. Mattina
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  8. C. L. Romanò
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Correspondence to L. Drago.

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Drago, L., De Vecchi, E., Cappelletti, L. et al. Prolonging culture to 15 days improves bacterial detection in bone and joint infections. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 34, 1809–1813 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-015-2416-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-015-2416-8

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