Blood cultures are collected from a 36-year-old patient suspected of having a disseminated fungal infection. History reveals that she was exposed to bird droppings and may have inhaled the conidia. What is the best blood culture system to use to ensure optimal recovery of this pa-thogen?

a. BACTEC
b. BacT/ALERT
c. ESP system
d. Isolator system


D
The organism is most likely H. capsulatum. The isolator has been shown to be optimal for the recovery of H. capsulatum and other filamentous fungi. Using this system, both red and white blood cells that may contain the microorganisms are lysed, and centrifugation concentrates the organisms before culturing.

Biology & Microbiology

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