Understanding Your Laboratory Test: A Patient's Guide to Diagnostic Testing
This test detects and identifies aerobic bacteria in blood products before transfusion to ensure patient safety.
{"Screens blood products for bacterial contamination before transfusion","Uses aerobic culture methods to grow and identify bacteria","Helps prevent transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections","Performed on donated blood components like red cells, platelets, or plasma","Critical safety step in blood transfusion medicine"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 599-1
- Short code
- BBLBCULT
- Synonyms
- Bacteria BPU Aerobe Cult
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Aerobic blood culture bottle (e.g., BacT/ALERT FA Plus, BACTEC Standard Aerobic/F) or sterile blood product transfer bag segment. Sample from blood product unit is collected aseptically into an aerobic culture bottle or sterile container for microbiology processing.
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- aerobic-culture
- CPT
- 87040
- SNOMED
- 600-9
- Specimen volume
- Minimum 8-10 mL of blood product per aerobic culture bottle; for platelet concentrates, 4-8 mL is typically inoculated. For quality control screening of blood product units, volume may vary by institutional protocol and blood component type.
- Stability
- Inoculated culture bottles should be transported to the laboratory immediately or as soon as possible. Specimens should not be refrigerated. If immediate transport is not possible, bottles may be held at room temperature (20-25°C) for up to 2 hours prior to placement in the incubator. Blood product unit samples should be processed within 24 hours of collection when possible. Do not refrigerate or freeze culture bottles.
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 24–168 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test and what information does it provide about my health?
The Bacteria Identified in Blood Product Unit by Aerobe Culture test is a laboratory test that checks donated blood products for the presence of aerobic (oxygen-requiring) bacteria. Before blood is transfused to a patient, it must be screened for bacterial contamination to prevent serious infections. This test involves taking a sample from a blood product unit (such as red blood cells, platelets, or plasma) and placing it in a culture medium that promotes the growth of aerobic bacteria. If bacteria are present, they will multiply and can be identified through further testing.
How is this test performed, and what should I expect during the procedure?
A small sample is taken from the blood product unit under sterile conditions. This sample is then inoculated into culture bottles designed for aerobic bacteria and incubated at body temperature for several days. Laboratory technicians monitor the cultures daily for signs of bacterial growth. If growth occurs, the bacteria are identified using additional tests such as Gram staining, biochemical tests, or automated identification systems.
Why is this test important for diagnosing and managing my health condition?
Bacterial contamination of blood products, while rare, can cause severe and potentially fatal infections in patients receiving transfusions. This test is a critical safety measure that helps protect patients from transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections. It is particularly important for platelet products, which are stored at room temperature and provide an ideal environment for bacterial growth.
Reference range
No growth of aerobic bacteria. Reportable organisms include clinically significant aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus species, Enterococcus species, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other gram-positive or gram-negative organisms isolated from blood product units.N/A
No patient preparation is required. This test is performed on the blood product unit itself (e.g., platelet concentrate, red blood cell unit, or whole blood unit), not directly on patient blood. Donor blood product units are typically sampled at the time of collection, processing, or prior to transfusion for quality control screening. Sterile technique must be used when obtaining samples from blood product bags to prevent environmental contamination.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test plays a vital role in blood transfusion safety. Bacterial contamination of blood products can lead to severe sepsis, septic shock, and even death in transfusion recipients. Common bacteria that can contaminate blood products include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By identifying contaminated units before transfusion, this test prevents thousands of potentially life-threatening infections each year. Positive results lead to the immediate quarantine and destruction of the contaminated blood product, protecting patients from harm.
Frequently asked questions
Does this test hurt?
How long does it take to get results?
What happens if bacteria are found in the blood product?
Is this test required for all blood donations?
Can this test detect all types of bacteria?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3CDC - Transfusion SafetySource
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy