• BacT/ALERT® Culture Media
  • BacT/ALERT® Culture Media

BacT/ALERT® Culture Media

Provides an optimal environment for the recovery of a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, fungi and mycobacteria

  • Flexible media recovers organisms from many sample types from blood to sterile body fluids
  • Colorimetric technology and sophisticated algorithms minimize false negatives
  • Standard and specialized Fastidious Antimicrobial Neutralization media available
  • Shatter-proof plastic bottles maximize safety without compromising performance
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Colorimetric detection outshines other technology

With colorimetric detection, BacT/ALERT® culture media offers you sophisticated technology that outshines the rest. Specialized Liquid Emulsion Sensors (LES) at the bottom of each culture bottle visibly change color when the pH changes due to the rise in CO2 as it is produced by microorganisms. BacT/ALERT® 3D instruments measure the color changes every ten minutes and analyze the changes. Sophisticated algorithms, including a unique “threshold” algorithm, ensure early detection of micro-organisms. Even when bottles are delayed in transit, the visual color change helps you potentially identify positive bottles prior to entry into the system. That’s how you can be assured of accurate detection and rapid recovery of microorganisms from various sample types.

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  • Technology and sophisticated algorithms help minimize false negatives due to delayed entry
  • Low false-positive rates
  • Visual, irreversible color change

 

Flexible media delivers reliable recovery

BacT/ALERT® culture media offers a comprehensive range of media bottles to ensure the rapid recovery of a wide variety of microorganisms including bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and yeasts. From various sample types including blood, sterile body fluids and sputum, BacT/ALERT® culture media can detect 98% of isolates within 72 hours*.

  • FDA-cleared for blood, sterile body fluids and platelets
  • Recovers a wide range of microorganisms
  • Specialized bottles for mycobacterium recovery
  • Fastidious Antimicrobial Neutralization media optimizes recovery for patients on antimicrobial therapy

*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.

 

New FAN® Plus media: optimized time to detection and recovery

Our next generation Fastidious Antimicrobial Neutralization Plus media (FAN® Plus) offers optimized time to detection and recovery. FAN® Plus bottles provide even clearer Gram stains and new Adsorbent Polymeric Beads offer antimicrobial neutralization.

  • Optimized Microorganism Recovery
    • Reformulated media provide a robust environment that encourages microbial growth for bacteria and yeasts
    • Effective organism growth in blood and sterile body fluids
    • Growth performance guidelines under delayed entry conditions
  • Optimized Time To Detection
    • Effective antimicrobial neutralization provides better environment for organism growth and detection

Safety & efficiency: trust the pioneer in plastic collection bottles

bioMérieux was the first to introduce revolutionary multilayer plastic bottles. Made of unique polycarbonate material, their triple-layer design ensures appropriate environment for recovery of microorganisms. These shatter-resistant bottles significantly improve safety in the laboratory by eliminating accidental spills, potential biohazard exposure and glass cuts. Because they weigh less, these bottles have the added benefit of reducing shipping and disposal costs. And – as numerous studies have shown – the bottom line is that you get all these clear advantages while still ensuring optimal performance in recovery and time to detection.

  • Shatter-resistant bottles reduce potential for biohazard exposure
  • Up to 2/3 lighter than glass
  • Cost-effective storage, shipping and disposal
  • Multi-layer, gas-impermeable design maintains aerobic or anaerobic environments
  • Adapt to a variety of protocols and enable pneumatic transport without a special container

 

Standard Media

  Bottle Type Media Formulation Specimen Type Specimen Volume

BacT/ALERT® SA
Standard Aerobic
- Ref. 259789

40 ml supplemented tryptic soy broth (TSB) 

Blood or normally sterile body fluid (SBF)

Up to 10 ml

BacT/ALERT® SN
Standard Anaerobic
- Ref. 259790

40 ml TSB Blood or SBF Up to 10 ml

 

Fastidious Antimicrobial Neutralization Plus Media (FAN® Plus)

  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

 

Fastidious Antimicrobial Neutralization Media

FAN® media with activated charcoal to neutralize antimicrobials

  Bottle Type Media Formulation Specimen Type Specimen Volume
BacT/ALERT® FA FAN® Aerobic -
Ref. 259791
30 ml peptone-enriched TSB, supplemented with Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) solids and activated charcoal Blood or SBF Up to 10 ml
BacT/ALERT® FN FAN® Anaerobic -
Ref. 259793
40 ml peptone-enriched TSB, supplemented with BHI solids and activated charcoal Blood or SBF Up to 10 ml
BacT/ALERT® PF
Pediatric FAN® -
Ref. 259794
20 ml peptone-enriched TSB, supplemented with BHI solids and activated charcoal Blood Up to 4 ml

 

Mycobacterium Media

  Bottle Type Media Formulation Specimen Type Specimen Volume
BacT/ALERT® MP Mycobacteria Process -
Ref. 259797 Use with ref. 259760
10 ml supplemented Middlebrook 7H9 broth. Processed specimen or SBF other than blood. 0.5 ml

 

Platelet QC Testing

  Bottle Type Media Formulation Specimen Type Specimen Volume
BacT/ALERT®
BPA Aerobic Platelet culture bottles
Ref. 279018
or
EU Ref
. 279044
40 ml supplemented tryptic soy broth (TSB) Leukocyte reduced apheresis platelet (LRAP ) units, and both leukocyte reduced single and a pool of up to six (6) units of leukocyte reduced whole blood platelet concentrates (LRWBPC) 4 – 10 ml
BacT/ALERT®
BPN Anaerobic Platelet culture bottles
- Ref. 279019
or
EU Ref
. 279045
40 ml supplemented tryptic soy broth (TSB) Leukocyte reduced apheresis platelet (LRAP ) units, and both leukocyte reduced single and a pool of up to six (6) units of leukocyte reduced whole blood platelet concentrates (LRWBPC) 4 – 10 ml

 

BacT/ALERT® Accessories – adapter and accessories

  Description Product# Packaging
BacT/ALERT® Blood Collection Adapter Cap
For conventional luer lock style collection sets.
279012 120
BacT/ALERT® Blood Collection Adapter Insert
To facilitate collection of evacuated tubes after filling blood culture bottles.
279013 60

 

Greiner Bio-One VACUETTE® Safety Blood Collection Sets and Bulk Adapter*

  Description Product # Packaging
VACUETTE® Safety Blood Collection Sets
Contains needle, tubing and Greiner adapter in sterilized packet.
Ref. 413251 - Needle Size 21G, 30cm tubing. Ref. 413201 - Needle Size 23G, 30cm tubing. Ref. 415419 - Needle Size 21G, 19cm tubing. Ref. 415450 - Needle Size 23G, 19cm tubing. 240 per case
Bulk non sterile adapter
Non-sterile adapter cap with improved neck design to accommodate evacuated tubes without the need for an insert. (Female threaded Luer).
413200 320

 

  • Hands-on training course
  • Unlimited technical phone support
  • Any other service and support currently available

 

Recommendations for Collection 

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BACT/ALERT® 3D: HEALTHCARE PUBLICATIONS

 

Standard Media Recovery:

Mirret S, Reller LB, Petti CA, Woods CW, Vazirani B, Sivadas R, and Weinstein MP. Controlled Clinical Comparison of BacT/ALERT® Standard Aerobic Medium with BACTEC Standard Aerobic Medium for Culturing Blood. J. Clin Microbiol. 2003; 41(6):2391-2394.

Bernard D, Verschraegen G, Claeys G, Lauwers S, Rosseel P. Bilophila wadsworthia bacteremia in a patient with gangrenous appendicitis. Clin Infect Dis. June 1994;18:1023-1024.

 

Standard vs. FAN® Media:

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.

Mirrett S, Everts RJ, Reller LB. Controlled Comparison of Original Vented Aerobic FAN® Medium with New Nonvented BacT/ALERT® FA Medium for Culturing Blood. J Clin Microbiol. 2001;39(6):2098-2101.

Mirrett S, Petti CA, Woods CW, Magadia R, Weinstein MP, Reller LB. Controlled Clinical Comparison of the BacT/ALERT® FN and the Standard Anaerobic SN Blood Culture Medium. J Clin Microbiol. 2004;42(10):4581-4585.

 

FAN® vs. BACTEC Plus:

Ziegler R, Johnscher I, Martus P, Lenhardt D, Just HM. Controlled clinical laboratory comparison of two supplemented aerobic and anaerobic media in automated blood culture systems to detect bloodstream infections. J Clin Microbiol. 1998; 36(3):657-661.

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.

 

FAN Plus Media:

Altun O, Almuhayawi M, Ullberg M and Ozenci V, Clinical Evaluation of the FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel in Identification of Bacteria and Yeasts from Positive Blood Culture Bottles, J. Clin. Microbiol. 2013, 51(12):4130.

Kirn TJ, Mirrett S, Reller LB, Weinstein MP, Controlled Clinical Comparison of BacT/ALERT FA Plus and FN Plus Blood Culture Media with BacT/ALERT FA and FN Blood Culture Media, J. Clin. Microbiol. doi:10.1128/JCM.03063-13.

Lee DH, Kim SC, Bae IG, Kim S,  Clinical Evaluation of BacT/Alert FA Plus and FN Plus Bottles Compared with Standard Bottles, J. Clin. Microbiol. 2013, 51(12):4150.

Mitteregger D, Barousch W, Nehr M,  Kundi M,  Zeitlinger M , Makristathis A and Hirschl AM, Neutralization of Antimicrobial Substances in New BacT/Alert FA and FN Plus Blood Culture Bottles, J. Clin. Microbiol. 2013, 51(5):1534.

 

Body Fluids:

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.

 

Glass vs. Plastic Bottles:

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.

Petti, CA, Mirrett S, Woods CW, and Reller LB. Controlled Clinical Comparison of Plastic versus Glass Bottles of BacT/ALERT® PF Medium for Culturing Blood from Children. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43(1): 445–447

Petti CA, Mirrett S, Woods CW, Reller LB, Controlled clinical comparison of plastic and glass bottles of BacT/ALERT® FA medium for culturing organisms from blood of adult patients. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43(4), 1960-1962

 

Pediatric:

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.

 

BacT/ALERT® vs. ESP:

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.

 

Mycobacteria, Yeast and Fungi:

Alcaide F, Benitez MA, Escriba JM, Martin R. Evaluation of the BACTEC MGIT 960 and the MB/BacT systems for recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens and for species identification by DNA AccuProbe. J Clin Microbiol. 2000;38(1):398-401.

 Crump J, Tanner DC, Mirrett S, McKnight CM, Reller LB, Controlled Comparison of BACTEC 13A, Myco/F Lytic, BacT/ALERT® MB and Isolator 10 Systems for Detection of Mycobacteremia. J Clin Microbiol 2003;41(5):1987-1990.

 McDonald, L., Weinstein, M., Fune, J., Mirrett, S., Reimer, L., Reller, B., Controlled Comparison of BacT/ALERT® FAN® Aerobic Medium and Bactec Fungal Blood Culture Medium for Detection of Fungemia, J Clin Microbiol 2001:39(2): 622–624.

 

Other:

Paul P. Bourbeau and Janice K. Pohlman, Three Days of Incubation May Be Sufficient for Routine Blood Cultures with BacT/ALERT® FAN® Blood Culture Bottles. J Clin Microbiol. 2001;39(6):2079-2082.

 Seegmuller I, Eschenbach U, Kamereck K. Sensitivity of the BacT/ALERT® FA medium for detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in pre-incubated blood cultures and its temperature dependence. J Med Microbiol, (2004); 53. 869-874.

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