Comparative Study of Antibacterial Susceptibility Patterns of the Bacteria Isolated from Patients' Blood Samples over Two Periods (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION Rapid and reliable detection of microorganisms from the blood is one of the most critical functions of a diagnostic microbiology laboratory. It is well known that the isolation of microorganisms is a gold standard for accurate detection of etiological agents of infectious diseases (Paolucci et al., 2010). Furthermore, early detection of bloodstream infections could prevent implantation of microorganisms into vital organs such as the brain, heart or kidneys (Bakowski et al., 2008). To detect blood infections, different techniques and instruments have been innovated. One of such detection systems is bactec, which is widely accepted as a rapid and accurate method for the detection of bloodstream infections (Cermak et al., 2011). In this study, blood samples were processed in bactec 9240 (Becton Dickinson Diagnostic Instrument Systems, Sparks, Md.). This system is noninvasive and automated blood culture systems with continuous monitoring have introduced a technology that reduces the time needed to detect positive blood cultures as well as decreases the specimen handling (Kim and Han, 2010; Bert et al., 2010).