BACTEREMIA DURING DOUBLE-CONTRAST BARIUM ENEMA EXAMINATION

Patients (45) undergoing dobule-contrast Ba enema examinations were studied to identify the incidence of transient bacteremia associated with the examination. Blood cultures were obtained immediatley prior to the examination and at 5, 10 and 20 min after the start of the examination. Blood samples were cultured in both aerobic and anaerobic media, and 4 of these cultures were positive for organisms that are common skin contaminants. No bacteremia was identified from enteric pathogens. Patients with cardiac valvular disease evidently are not at greater risk of bacteremia during double-contrast Ba enema examinations.