Gram-Negative Blood Culture

In 2009, septicemia was associated with more than 800,000 hospitalizations in the United States and was the most expensive cause of hospitalization¹.  Septicemia occurs when a pathogenic microorganism, usually a bacterium or a fungus, enters the bloodstream and causes an inflammatory immune response.  Because bloodstream infections and septicemia are pervasive problems associated with high mortality rates, timely delivery of appropriate treatment is essential. 

The Verigene Gram-Negative Blood Culture (BC-GN) Test is a multiplexed, automated nucleic acid test for the identification of genus, species, and genetic resistance determinants for a broad panel of the most common gram-negative blood culture isolates.  While conventional microbiological methods may require 2-4 days to produce bacterial identification and resistance results, the Verigene BC-GN test provides results within 2 hours of blood culture positivity.  The Verigene System’s unique instrumentation allows for true random access test processing, enabling 24/7 on-demand testing directly from positive blood culture bottles with less than 5 minutes of user hands-on time per test. 

References

1. Elixhauser A, Friedman B, Stranges E. 2011. Septicemia in US Hospitals, 2009. HCUP Statistical Brief #122. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.