Blood cultures are used to detect which organisms?

• A. Bacteria
• B. Fungi
• C. Bacteria or fungi in the blood
• D. Viruses

Answer: (C)

Blood cultures are designed to grow microorganisms that can multiply in blood. They detect bacteria and fungi that cause bloodstream infections (bacteremia and fungemia) by incubating patient blood in culture bottles and looking for growth. Viruses require living cells to replicate and are not identified by standard blood culture systems; they’re detected with other methods like molecular tests or antigen assays. So, the test best fits detecting bacteria or fungi in the blood.