Surgical infections: sampling and sampling results, what do they mean?

Prompt diagnosis and characterization of surgical site infections (SSIs) is critical for early institution of proper therapy. Proper sample collection and results interpretation are necessary for optimal patient management, and these are not always straightforward.

Collection of diagnostic samples should be considered for all cases, but there are situations where samples and testing are more important or more prone to error. In general, the more superficial the infection, the lower the value of culture because of the greater likelihood of contamination and the lesser need for systemic antimicrobials. In humans, culture of superficial wounds or draining tracts is not generally recommended because those samples do not necessarily reflect the deeper, true component.(https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/healthcare/implementation/clinicianguide.html) There is not reason to think recommendations should be different in animals.

Culture results may also provide limited patient care guidance when the infection is to be treated topically or locally. However, there is still some value ofculture in those situations, including provision of important information for the hospital’s infection control program, as it allows for recognition of unusual pathogens (e.g.Serratia) that might prompt investigation and early detection of potential outbreaks (e.g. clusters ofMRSA). [...]