Development of new methods for detecting bloodstream pathogens

BackgroundCurrent blood culture systems were developed and evolved, in part, based on our knowledge of the critical factors in the recovery of pathogenic microorganisms from blood, changes in the spectrum of pathogens causing bloodstream infections, changes in technology and changes in expectations for blood culture system performance.AimsThe aim was to review historical data about development of blood culture systems and how that knowledge will continue to influence newer generations of technology for detecting and identifying bloodstream pathogens.SourcesSources were literature review of published papers, previous select reviews, and updated guidelines.ContentThis review focuses on how blood culture systems evolved in response to changes in our knowledge about the critical factors for recovering bloodstream pathogens, the spectrum of pathogens that cause bacteraemia and fungaemia, changes in technology, and changes in expectation of performance.ImplicationsAs we move into an era characterized by molecular identification of bloodstream pathogens, and eventually direct detection of pathogens in blood, the historical knowledge that drove the development and subsequent evolution of contemporary blood culture systems also will drive development and incremental improvements in molecular methods. Our knowledge of bloodstream infections is not static; these systems reflect changes in that knowledge.