Work

Evaluating Blood Culture Parameters to Identify Patients at Low Risk of Infective Endocarditis Among Those With Bacteremia by Gram-positive Cocci

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Identifying patients at low risk for infective endocarditis (IE) among those with bacteremia by Gram-positive cocci is critical to optimize cardiac imaging use. The aim was to assess the diagnostic performance of blood culture parameters in identifying patients at low risk for IE. Methods: at the Lausanne University Hospital were included. Low-risk criteria were defined as: only one positive out of four initial blood culture bottles and bacteremia clearance within 48 hours. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of IE, determined by the Endocarditis Team. Negative likelihood ratios (NLRs) were calculated. Results: . IE was diagnosed in 561 (26%) episodes. Among all episodes, 1767 (82%) had >1 positive out of the initial 4 blood culture bottles collected, and 1783 (82%) had either >1 positive out of the initial 4 blood culture bottles or persistent bacteremia for ≥48 hours. Having only 1 positive out of 4 initial blood culture bottles was associated with a NLR of 0.10 (95% CI, .06-.18). When combining both criteria, 1 positive out of 4 blood culture bottles and bacteremia clearance before 48 hours, the NLR was 0.08 (0.05-0.15). Conclusions: Simple blood culture parameters may help identify patients at low risk for IE. However, the approach classifies most patients as high-risk and may have limited impact on reducing echocardiography use.

Source: Open Forum Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaf518