The VersaTREK(®) microbial detection system offers 2 media formulations, an aerobic and an anaerobic bottle available in a 40-mL direct draw format and an 80-mL format. The 40-mL EZ Draw(®) bottle can be inoculated with a maximum volume of 5 mL, while the REDOX 80-mL bottle accommodates a 10-mL volume. The effect of volume of blood inoculum on time to positivity (TTP) has not been clearly established with these bottle types. This study utilized simulated blood cultures seeded with clinically relevant microorganisms in human blood to evaluate the impact of inoculum volume and organism load on TTP for the 2 bottle types. For 13/15 organisms, the EZ Draw bottle flagged positive earlier than the REDOX 80-mL bottles. The lower volume of blood inoculum did not negatively impact TTP using the EZ Draw blood culture bottles as compared to REDOX 80-mL bottles.
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