Bacteria in blood smears: overwhelming sepsis or trivial contamination.

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Title:	Bacteria in blood smears: overwhelming sepsis or trivial contamination.
Author(s):	Meer, W. van der; Verwiel, J.M.M.; Gidding, C.E.M. ; Metz, M. de ; Keijzer, M.H. de
Publication year:	2002
Source:	Acta Haematologica, vol. 107, iss. 4, (2002), pp. 220-223
ISSN:	0001-5792
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1159/000058318
Publication type:	Article / Letter to editor
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item : https://hdl.handle.net/2066/144419
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Subject:	Pediatric Oncology. Treatment of children with cancer. Innovation and Quality assurance in laboratory medicine Kinderoncologie. Behandeling van kinderen met kanker. Ontwikkeling en kwaliteitsborging in de laboratoriumgeneeskunde
Organization:	Clinical Chemistry Paediatrics
Journal title:	Acta Haematologica
Volume:	vol. 107
Issue:	iss. 4
Page start:	p. 220
Page end:	p. 223
Abstract:	It is unusual to find microorganisms in peripheral blood smears, and their presence is frequently associated with overwhelming sepsis and consequently a poor prognosis. In this report, we demonstrate 4 cases with bacteria in blood smears. Two of them had a fatal outcome, but the other 2 were caused by a contamination either via the central venous catheter or in vitro, both without dramatic outcome. The finding of bacteria in blood smears has to be interpreted carefully, and thorough examination of peripheral blood smears may be of great importance in the early diagnosis of bacteremia; however, in vitro contamination must be excluded.