Two Epidemics of Pseudobacteremia Due to Staphylococcus aureus and Aerococcus viridans

Abstract

Two epidemics of pseudobacteremia are reported. The first, due to Staphyloccus aureus, was caused by a physician who had active staphylococcal skin infection and nasal colonization. Because the blood culture system in use at the time was open, and used screw cap bottles, we assume that the physician contaminated the bottles at the time of inoculation. The second outbreak, caused by Aerococcus viridans, was traced to contamination of the blood culture bottle tops as they were received from the manufacturer. We assume that there was inadequate disinfection of the bottle tops by the physicians prior to their use.