A pilot study to compare swab versus fluid culture obtained from infected sites in the operating room

Key Points

• This research aims to compare the effectiveness of swab versus fluid cultures in identifying pathogens from infected sites during surgery.
• Conducted a prospective study of operative specimens during surgery.
• Collected both swab and fluid samples from infected sites.
• Analyzed the concordance of pathogen identification between the two culture methods.
• Concordance between swab and fluid cultures was found in 64.7% of cases.
• Fluid cultures generally showed better yields from abscess fluid.
• Swab cultures identified some pathogens that fluid cultures missed.