Utility of blood culture in sepsis diagnostics

Blood culture remains the most important microbiological investigation in the management of sepsis. The conventional definition of sepsis has been challenged recently and likely to increase number of patients screened for sepsis due to the change in the definition. Blood culture contamination still remains a challenge, especially in resource poor settings where educational facilities are limited. Clinical correlation of positive (as well as negative) blood culture is an important aspect of the investigation where a clinical microbiologist can significantly impact on the management of sepsis.