Role of blood cultures for managing cellulitis in immunocompromised children

Are blood cultures useful for managing skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in immunocompetent children? A retrospective study in 348 children hospitalized with cellulitis, abscess, or impetigo from whom blood cultures were taken found that only 2 cultures (0.6%) were positive and 10 (2.8%) were contaminated. These results illuminate the poor performance and yield of blood cultures in uncomplicated SSTIs in immunocompetent children (Trenchs V, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2015;34 [9]:924-927).

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Ms Freedman is a freelance medical editor and writer in New Jersey. She has nothing to disclose in regard to affiliations with or financial interests in any organizations that may have an interest in any part of this article.