[Bacteriological investigation of burn blister fluid]

Under a sterilized technique the fluid of the unbroken blister was obtained for bacterial culture in 73 burned patients with different ages (5 months-67 Y) and extent of injury (1.5%-96% TBSA). Bacterial count was carried out if a positive result is obtained. Among the 73 patients, positive cultures were observed in 12, an incidence of 16.4%. Patients suffering from serious or extremely serious thermal injuries showed a positive culture rate of 15%. Bacterial count of the blister fluid appeared to be higher in patients with extensive burns. Most of the bacteria were common resident organisms of the human body. Of the 4 patients with their blister fluid bacteria counts over 2000 CFU/ml, 2 died from sepsis, while 8 patients with lower than 2000 CFU/ml bacteria in their blister fluid survived. The results suggested that large number of bacteria in the blister fluid might further depress local immunity, so that the patient is more susceptible to infections. It is therefore suggested that culture of blister fluid and bacterial count should be done immediately in the extensively burned patient just after admission.