False Positive Peripheral Blood Cultures in Children with Leukemia: A Descriptive Retrospective Prevalence Study

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A new study has been published, highlighting the rates of false positive peripheral blood cultures in children with leukemia. The research, conducted by Ege University Faculty of Nursing, observed 1,003 peripheral blood culture results from 100 patients, with 27 (2.69%) being false positive blood cultures. The most common contaminants were Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus hominis.

Key Takeaways:

  • The false positive peripheral blood culture rate was 8.9% in the study, with 27 (2.69%) out of 1,003 results being false positive.
  • The most common contaminants in the study were Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=31) and Staphylococcus hominis (n=6).
  • The highest seasonal contamination rates were observed in winter (29.6%), and during the daytime shift (48.1%).
  • The study suggests that awareness-raising and training activities among nurses performing blood culture collections could help reduce contamination rates.
  • False positivity in peripheral blood culture collection is a significant health and quality problem, requiring ongoing attention and education efforts.
  • The study found that the rate of false positive peripheral blood cultures was within the optimal range in this study, indicating potential effectiveness of interventions to reduce contamination rates.

Statistics:

  • 1,003 peripheral blood culture results were followed up in the study.
  • 90 (8.9%) of the peripheral blood cultures were positive.
  • 27 (2.69%) of the positive blood cultures were false positive.
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common contaminant (n=31).
  • Staphylococcus hominis was the second most common contaminant (n=6).
  • The highest seasonal contamination rate was observed in winter (29.6%).
  • The highest contamination rate was observed during the daytime shift (48.1%).

Sources:

  • Ege University Faculty of Nursing
  • Journal of Pediatric Research, 2025,12(3):143-150 (Galenos Publishing House)
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.4274/jpr.galenos.2025.75975
  • Hematology Week, October 27, 2025; p 276.