Understanding blood culture identification in bloodstream infections
Bloodstream infections can progress rapidly to sepsis, making timely diagnostic information essential for patient management.1, 2 This page explains the role of blood culture identification (BCID) in pathogen and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) detection and how rapid molecular methods complement conventional microbiology workflows to support earlier clinical decision-making.
Why earlier answers matter with bloodstream infections
A bloodstream infection (BSI) occurs when pathogens enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. If not identified and managed quickly, a BSI can progress to sepsis – a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated response to infection.5,6
As each hour can influence clinical outcomes, timely diagnostic information is critical to support treatment decisions and antimicrobial stewardship efforts.7
Challenges in bloodstream infection management
The race against time after a blood culture turns positive
While conventional workflows remain essential, obtaining complete pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility results can take 48–72 hours or longer.8 During this period, treatment decisions often rely on limited information.3, 4 Syndromic testing supports informed clinical decisions while culture and susceptibility testing is ongoing.4
Image adapted from Gerada A, et al. Microbiology Spectrum. 2024;12(11):e0144924, under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Earlier insights in ~1 hour
The QIAstat-Dx BCID Plus AMR Panels provide pathogen and AMR marker detection from positive blood cultures in approximately one hour, helping bridge the information gap between culture positivity and final susceptibility results.
Syndromic testing enables simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens and antimicrobial resistance markers in a single test. By providing comprehensive molecular results from positive blood cultures, laboratories can deliver clinically relevant information sooner.5
Molecular AMR gene detection should be interpreted together with organism identification, Gram stain, culture, phenotypic susceptibility testing, local epidemiology, antimicrobial stewardship guidance, and the patient’s clinical context. Phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing remains required for final susceptibility confirmation and patient management decisions according to local laboratory procedures. Two complementary panels for broad detection of bloodstream infections
*Samples grown in bioMérieux or Becton Dickinson blood culture bottles must be diluted in saline before loading 100 µL of the dilution into the cartridge. Samples grown in Thermo Scientific bottles do not require dilution.
**GPF Panel: The test is performed on pure colonies of Bacilli, Actinobacteria or fungi (except Fusarium target). Bacilli, Actinobacteria or fungi (except Fusarium).
***Detection of AMR genes is conditional on the presence of a related pathogen.
The QIAstat-Dx BCID GN Plus AMR Panel is not available in all countries. Please check with your local sales representative.
QIAstat-Dx BCID GPF Plus AMR Panel
† Staphylococcus capitis/hominis are both detected, but not differentiated.
†† Detection of AMR genes is conditional on the presence of a related pathogen.
††† Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii are both detected, but not differentiated.
†††† Candida Group 1 and Group 2 are detected and identified at the group level; individual species are not differentiated.
QIAstat-Dx BCID GN Plus AMR Panel
Simple workflow. Faster answers.
The QIAstat-Dx BCID Plus AMR Panels are designed for ease of use across a variety of laboratory settings.
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QIAstat-Dx connectivity helps laboratories move from results to action faster. With QIAsphere, teams can access critical testing insights remotely, monitor emerging trends and review detailed run data to support confident decision-making.
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1. Manuel C, et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2024;62(10):e01020-24.
2. Dunbar SA, et al. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022;12:859935.
3. Gerada A, et al. Microbiol Spectr. 2024;12(11):e0144924.
4. Lamy B, et al. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2020;26(2):142–150.
5. Singer M, et al. JAMA. 2016;315(8):801–810.
6. Evans L, et al. Intensive Care Med. 2021;47(11):1181–1247.
7. Kumar A, et al. Crit Care Med. 2006;34(6):1589–1596.
8. Demir M, et al. Infect Dis Clin Microbiol. 2024;6(2):123–132.
The QIAstat-Dx BCID Plus AMR Panels are intended for in vitro diagnostic use.