Effects of anti-neoplastic agents on the recovery of bacteria and yeasts in an automated blood culture system

The effects of 7 anti-neoplastic agents on the recovery of 5 aerobic Gram-p ositiue cocci, Gram-negative rods and yeasts were studied in 2 different au tomated blood culture systems using an experimental model. In the absence o f anti-neoplastic agents, the growth of Gram-positive cocci mas detected si gnificantly earlier in standard than in FAN aerobic bottles. In the presenc e of 100 mu M doxorubicin, however, the growth of Gram-positive cocci nas t otally inhibited in standard culture conditions, while in FAN bottles the a gent has no inhibitory effect. Etoposide at a concentration of 100 mu mol/l also significantly delayed the growth of cocci in standard conditions. Nei ther the culture bottles nor the anti-neoplastic agents tested had any effe ct on the growth of Gram-negative rods and yeasts. The results suggest that the anti-neoplastic agents present in blood might disturb the grow th of G ram-positive cocci in blood culture. This should be considered when validat ing blood culture systems and evaluating blood cultures of chemotherapy-rec eiving febrile patients.