What type of bacteria does sodium polyanethol sulfonate prevent from affecting blood cultures?

Sodium polyanethol sulfonate is an anticoagulant used in blood culture media, primarily to prevent the growth of certain bacteria that could interfere with the isolation of pathogens. Its primary role is to neutralize the effects of antimicrobial substances that may be present in the blood, such as antibiotics.

The correct understanding is that sodium polyanethol sulfonate is especially effective at inhibiting the growth of gram-positive bacteria, which typically possess thick peptidoglycan cell walls and are more susceptible to this type of agent. In contrast, gram-negative bacteria, which have a more complex cell wall structure, are less affected by sodium polyanethol sulfonate. This means that the substance is designed to create a favorable environment for the proliferation of gram-negative bacteria in blood cultures, allowing for accurate detection and analysis without the undermining influence of gram-positive bacteria.