Use of simulated blood cultures to compare a specific fungal medium with a standard microorganism medium for yeast detection.

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a specific blood culture medium recently developed to detect fungi on the Bactec 9240 system (Mycosis IC/F; Becton Dickinson Diagnostic Instrument Systems, USA) with that of the standard medium used for detection of bacteria (Aerobic Plus/F; Becton Dickinson). Simulated blood cultures were performed on 43 strains belonging to ten fungal species using the two media. The mean time to yeast detection using the Mycosis IC/F medium was 29.03+/-13.99 h, in contrast to a mean time of 73.92+/-56.74 h using the Aerobic Plus/F medium. These results show that the Mycosis IC/F medium clearly reduces the time to yeast detection on the Bactec 9240.