Among patients with severe manifestations of sepsis, initiation of empirical antimicrobial therapy significantly reduces the sensitivity of blood cultures drawn shortly after treatment initiation.

Of 3,164 participants screened, 325 were included in the study and had repeated blood cultures drawn after initiation of antimicrobial therapy.

Preantimicrobial blood cultures were positive for 1 or more microbial pathogens in 102 of 325 patients.

Blood cultures were obtained before and within 120 minutes after initiation of antimicrobial treatment.

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