BACT/ALERT® Culture Media
Strong Outside, Strong Inside
BACT/ALERT Culture media offers an ideal environment for recovering an array of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria.
- Media flexibility allows recovery of microorganisms from many sample types, including blood and sterile body fluids
- Minimizes false negatives using a combination of colorimetric technology and sophisticated algorithms
- Fastidious Antimicrobial Neutralization media available, in addtion to standard media
- Plastic bottles are shatter-resistant to maximize safety without compromising performance
Disclaimer: Product availability varies by country. Please consult your local bioMérieux representative for availability in your country.
- BACT/ALERT Culture Media
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Overview
Minimize False Negatives
BACT/ALERT Culture media combines colorimetric technology with sophisticated algorithms to minimize the incidence of false negatives due to delayed entry into the BACT/ALERT system. Specialized Liquid Emulsion Sensors (LES) at the bottom of each culture bottle visibly change color in response to shifts in pH as a result of rising CO2 levels produced by microorganisms.
The BACT/ALERT instrument measures the color changes every ten minutes and analyzes them using algorithms that include a unique "threshold" algorithm to ensure early detection of microorganisms. In the event that bottles are delayed in transit, the visible, irreversible color change helps identify potentially positive bottles before they are entered into the system. In addition to minimizing false negatives, BACT/ALERT Culture Media also has a low rate of false positives.
Reliable Microorganism Recovery
BACT/ALERT Culture Media provides a wide range of media bottles to rapidly and reliably recover an array of microorganisms, including bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and yeasts from various sample types. BACT/ALERT Culture Media is FDA-cleared for blood, sterile body fluids, and platelets, and can detect 98% of isolates within 72 hours.1
- Fastidious Antimicrobial Neutralization media helps optimize microorganism recovery for patients who are undergoing antimicrobial therapy
- Specialized bottles designed for recovery of mycobacteria
Improve Safety & Efficiency
BACT/ALERT Culture Media bottles are made with a unique polycarbonate material and feature a triple-layer, gas-impermeable design that maintains the appropriate aerobic or anaerobic environment for microorganism recovery. The bottles can help eliminate accidental spills and are shatter-resistant, which helps reduce the potential for biohazard exposure and glass cuts. BACT/ALERT bottles are up to 2/3 lighter than glass, can adapt to a variety of protocols, and enable pneumatic transport without a special container.
"OSHA makes it clear: using glass in the laboratory when an equivalent plastic alternative is available must be justified in writing." - Ernst D. Richard Fairfax of OSHA talks about the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (MLO 2003:35(2):32-24)
Fan Plus Media
Optimized Time to Detection and Microorganism Recovery
The next-generation Fastidious Antimicrobial Neutralization Plus media (FAN Plus) from bioMérieux features optimized time to detection and microorganism recovery with an improved environment that fosters microbial growth for bacteria and yeast. FAN Plus media offers effective organism growth from both blood and sterile body fluid samples, along with growth performance guidelines for use in delayed entry conditions.
Fastidious Antimicrobial Neutralization Plus Media (FAN® Plus)
FAN Plus media with Adsorbent Polymeric Beads (APB) to neutralize antimicrobials
| Bottle Type | Media Formulation | Specimen Type | Specimen Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| BACT/ALERT FA Plus Ref: 410851 | 30 mL of supplemented complex media containing adsorbent polymeric beads | Blood or normally sterile body fluid (SBF) | Up to 10 mL |
| BACT/ALERT FN Plus Ref: 410852 | 40 mL of supplemented complex media containing adsorbent polymeric beads | Blood or SBF | Up to 10 mL |
| BACT/ALERT PF Plus Ref: 410853 | 30 mL of supplemented complex media containing adsorbent polymeric beads | Blood | Up to 4 mL |
Additional Media and Supplies
| Product | Description | Specimen Type | Specimen Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| BACT/ALERT SA Standard Aerobic Ref: 259789 | Polycarbonate plastic bottles to be used with BACT/ALERT Microbial Detection Systems in qualitative procedures for the recovery and detection of aerobic microorganisms (bacteria and fungi). | Blood or normally sterile body fluid (SBF) | Up to 10 mL |
| BACT/ALERT SN Standard Anaerobic Ref: 259790 | Polycarbonate plastic bottles to be used with BACT/ALERT Microbial Detection Systems in qualitative procedures for the recovery and detection of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms (bacteria). | Blood or normally sterile body fluid (SBF) | Up to 10 mL |
| Product | Description | Specimen Type | Specimen Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| BACT/ALERT MP Culture Bottle Ref: 419744 To be used with Ref: 414997 | Polycarbonate plastic bottles to be used in conjunction with BACT/ALERT 3D Mycobacteria Detection Systems for recovery and detection of mycobacteria. | Digested or decontaminated clinical specimens and sterile body specimens other than blood | 0.5 mL |
| BACT/ALERT Mycobacterial Antimicrobial Supplement (MAS) Kit Ref: 414997 | Lyophilized Antimicrobial supplement and Nutrient Supplement to be used with BACT/ALERT MP Culture Bottles |
| Product | Description | Specimen Type | Specimen Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| BACT/ALERT BPA Aerobic Platelet Culture Bottles Ref: 423278 | Polycarbonate plastic bottles to be used with BACT/ALERT Microbial Detection Systems in for quality control testing of platlets. BACT/ALERT BPA culture bottles support the growth of aerobic microorganisms (bacteria and fungi). | LRAP or LRWBPC | 4 - 10 mL |
| BACT/ALERT BPN Anaerobic Platelet Culture Bottles Ref: 423279 | Polycarbonate plastic bottles to be used with BACT/ALERT Microbial Detection Systems in for quality control testing of platlets. BACT/ALERT BPN culture bottles support the growth of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms (bacteria). | LRAP or LRWBPC | 4 - 10 mL |
| Product | Description | Packaging |
|---|---|---|
ITL SampLok® Adapter Cap 3 Ref: A100760 | Blood culture collection adapter that is smaller and lighter than similar products to make disposal easier and potentially more cost-efficient (female threaded luer). | 600 per case |
ITL SampLok® Adapter Cap 3 Insert Ref: A100761 To be used with Ref: A100760 | Optional insert for use with vacuum tubes and long-neck culture bottles. | 840 per case |
VACUETTE® Blood Culture Holder Ref: 450181 | Graduated neck design to accommodate evacuated tubes without the need for an insert (female threaded luer). | 320 per case |
Support Materials
bioMérieux provides service and support for BACT/ALERT Culture Media users, including a hands-on training course and unlimited technical support over the phone.
Below are bioMérieux's recommendations for blood culture collection using the BACT/ALERT Culture Media bottles.*
*This information is given as a guideline only and is not intended to be exhaustive. This document is not legally binding. bioMérieux reserves the right to modify specifications without notice.
Publications
Weinstein MP, Mirrett S, Reimer LG, Wilson ML, Smith-Elekes S, Chuard CR, Joho KL, Reller LB. Controlled evaluation of BACT/ALERT standard aerobic and FAN® aerobic blood culture bottles for detection of bacteremia and fungemia. J Clin Microbiol. 1995;33(4):978-981.
Wilson ML, Weinstein MP, Mirrett S, Reimer LG, Feldman RJ, Chuard CR, Reller LB. Controlled evaluation of BACT/ALERT® standard anaerobic and FAN® anaerobic blood culture bottles for the detection of bacteremia and fungemia. J Clin Microbiol. 1995;33(9):2265-2270.
McDonald LC, Fune J, Gaido LB, Weinstein MP, Reimer LG, Flynn TM, Wilson ML, Mirrett S, Reller LB. Clinical importance of increased sensitivity of BACT/ALERT® FAN® aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles. J Clin Microbiol. 1996;34(9):2180-2184.
Pohlman JK, Kirkley BA, Easley KA, Basille BA, Washington JA. Controlled clinical evaluation of BACTEC Plus Aerobic/F and BACT/ALERT® aerobic FAN® bottles for detection of bloodstream infections. J Clin Microbiol. 1995;33(11):2856-2858.
Jorgensen JH, Mirrett S, McDonald LC, Murray PR, Weinstein MP, Fune J, Trippy CW, Masterson M, Reller LB. Controlled clinical laboratory comparison of BACTEC Plus Aerobic/F Resin medium with BACT/ALERT® Aerobic FAN® medium for detection of bacteremia and fungemia. J Clin Microbiol. 1997;35(1):53-58.
Bourbeau P, Riley J, Heiter BJ, Master R, Young C, Pierson C. Use of the BACT/ALERT® blood culture system for culture of sterile body fluids other than blood. J Clin Microbiol. 1998;36(11):3273-3277.
Alfa MJ, Degagne P, Olson N, Harding KM. Improved detection of bacterial growth in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis effluent by use of BACT/ALERT® FAN® bottles. J Clin Microbiol. 1997;35(4):862-866.
Snyder JW, Munier GK, Bostic GD, Bozigar PS, Hanna R. Evaluation of a Plastic Nonvented Aerobic Blood Culture bottle for Use with the BACT/ALERT® Microbial Detection System. J Clin Microbiol 2002; 40(12): 4757-4759.
Alpern E, Alessandrini E, Bell L, Shaw K, McGowan L. Occult bacteremia from a pediatric emergency department: current prevalence, time to detection, and outcome. Pediatrics. 2000;106(3):505-511.
McGowan K, Foster J, Coffin S. Outpatient pediatric blood cultures: time to positivity. Pediatrics. 2000;106(2):251-255.
Krishner KK, Gibb P, CorbettS, and Church DEIDRE. Comparison of the BACT/ALERT® PF Pediatric FAN® Blood Culture Bottle with the Standard Pediatric Blood Culture Bottle, the Pedi-BACT J Clin Microbiol. 2001;39(8): 2880-2883.
Welby-Sellenriek PL, Keller DS, Ferrett RJ, Storch GA. Comparison of the BACT/ALERT® FAN®aerobic and the Difco ESP 80A aerobic bottles for pediatric blood cultures. J Clin Microbiol. 1997;35(5):1166-1171.
Doern G, Barton A, Rao S. Controlled comparative evaluation of BACT/ALERT® FAN® and ESP 80A aerobic media as means for detecting bacteremia and fungemia. J Clin Microbiol. 1998; 35(9):2686-2689.
References
1. Bourbeau PP and Pohlan JK. Three days of incubation may be sufficient for routine blood cultures with BACT/ALERT® FAN® blood culture bottles. J Clin Microbiol. 2001; 39(6): 2079-82.
PRN 054364 Rev.01A
