Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) surveillance definition requires a positive blood culture with a pathogen that is not related to another site of infection. For coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), how many positive blood cultures are required to meet NHSN CLABSI criteria?

• A One positive blood culture from any draw
• B One positive culture plus positive catheter tip culture
• C Three consecutive cultures within 72 hours
• D Two or more positive cultures from separate blood draws within 2 days ✓

Explanation

CoNS are common skin commensals and frequent blood culture contaminants. For organisms on the NHSN common commensal list (including CoNS, Cutibacterium acnes, Corynebacterium species, Bacillus species), two or more positive blood cultures from separate blood draws within 2 calendar days are required to meet CLABSI criteria, along with the clinical CLABSI definition. This two-culture requirement distinguishes true bloodstream infection from contamination. For recognised pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Candida, Enterobacterales), a single positive culture is sufficient.

Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.