TABLE 3.
Correct identification of bacteria in blood cultures using smudge plates with different incubation periods
| Bacteria | No. of isolates | Cumulative no. with correct identification (%) at: |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 h | 2 h | 4 h | ||
| Total | 400 | 257 (64.3) | 310 (77.5) | 358 (89.5) |
| Gram-positive organisms | 248 | 128 (51.6) | 173 (69.8) | 210 (84.7) |
| Staphylococci | 153 | 81 (52.9) | 112 (73.2) | 132 (86.3) |
| Enterococci | 25 | 20 (80.0) | 22 (88.0) | 24 (96.0) |
| Streptococci | 36 | 11 (30.6) | 16 (44.4) | 25 (69.4) |
| S. pneumoniae | 7 | 4 (57.1) | 7 (100) | 7 (100) |
| S. agalactiae | 5 | 3 (60.0) | 5 (100) | 5 (100) |
| Gram-positive bacilli | 31 | 16 (51.6) | 22 (71.0) | 26 (83.9) |
| Gram-negative organisms | 152 | 127 (83.6) | 136 (89.5) | 148 (97.4) |
| Enterobacteriaceae | 133 | 115 (86.5) | 122 (91.7) | 132 (99.2) |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 10 | 9 (90.0) | 10 (100) | 10 (100) |