From the Research
Wound Culture for PEG Tube Site Erythema
- The type of wound culture indicated for PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) tube site erythema can be determined based on the microbial flora commonly found in such infections.
- Studies have shown that wounds related to the gut flora, such as those resulting from gastrostomy tube insertion, often have a polymicrobial infection involving both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria 1.
- Specifically, enteric Gram-negative rods, Group D enterococcus, and Bacteroides fragilis group are commonly found in wounds related to the gut flora 1.
- Another study found that PEG site infections were often caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, coliforms, and meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 2.
- However, the study did not specify whether anaerobic cultures were performed, and the majority of isolates were aerobic bacteria.
- Other studies have highlighted the importance of anaerobic bacteria in various types of wound infections, including burn wounds and cutaneous abscesses 3, 4.
- In general, it is recommended to perform both aerobic and anaerobic cultures for wound infections, especially in cases where the infection is suspected to be polymicrobial 1, 4.
- However, one study suggested that positive anaerobic culture results may not always affect physicians' clinical management decisions, and the value of routine anaerobic culturing is questionable 5.