Blood culture tests are done to detect the presence of microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi in the blood. It is used to determine the presence of infection, identify the causative agents and to guide the proper treatment required to a patient. Blood culture testing is used to identify a blood infection (also called septicemia) which if otherwise left undetected can lead to a serious and fatal condition called sepsis. The symptoms of an initial bacterial infection or bacteremia are moderate or high fever, chills, breathlessness, tachycardia, muscular pain, palpitations, nausea, and headache.
Although blood samples can be used for the detection of virus in the blood, blood culture is generally used to detect bacteria and fungi. Blood culture test is often done in conjunction with other diagnostic tests such as complete blood count (CBC) or other chemical analysis. A variety of technique such as conventional/manual, semi-automated and automated methods can be used to perform blood culture test.
The growth of this market is driven owing to increasing number of sepsis cases, rising geriatric population, high prevalence of infectious diseases, and high incidence of bloodstream infections. For instance, Globally, bloodstream infections affect about 30 million people leading to 6 million deaths, with 3 million newborns and 1.2 million children suffering from sepsis annually. In Eastern African countries, the proportion of patients with bloodstream infections is reported to range from 11% to 28%. In Ghana, bloodstream infection rates are estimated to be in the range of 9.3% to 11.2%. The occurrence of these infections increases the overall duration of hospitalization as well as the cost of treatment.
Based on product, the global blood culture tests market is segmented into consumables, instruments, and software and services. Currently, consumables segment is expected to dominate the market by holding largest market share during the forecast period which cab be ascribed to the recurring requirement of consumables as compared to instruments.
In terms of method, the market is categorized into conventional/manual blood culture and automated blood culture methods. In 2020, the conventional/manual blood culture segment held the largest market share in 2020 due to its extensive use in independent clinical laboratories and increase in application of this conventional blood culture method in hospitals & pathology laboratories. However, the automated blood culture methods segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The quick turnaround time and reduced risk of contamination due to low manual intervention are the key factors contributing to market growth.
By technology, the global blood culture tests market is segmented into culture-based, molecular, and proteomic. In 2020, culture-based technology segment held the largest market share in terms of revenue. This is due to high usage of this technology by various laboratories such as hospital, reference, pathology, and physician office laboratories.
In terms of application, the blood culture tests market is segmented into bacteremia, fungemia, and mycobacterial detection. Among them, bacteremia accounted for the largest market share in 2020 and is further projected to maintain its leading position during the forecast period as well. The large share of this segment is primarily attributed to the increasing number of bloodstream infections and the growing number of sepsis cases worldwide.
Based on end-user the market is categorized into hospital laboratories, reference laboratories, academic research laboratories, others. Hospital laboratories accounted for the largest market share in terms of revenue. This is owing to the increasing incidence of Hospital-acquired Infections (HAIs). According to the WHO, the rate of ICU-acquired infections, including Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and surgical-site wound infections, is around two to three times higher in developing countries as compared to developed countries. In Canada, about 8,000 patients die annually because of hospital-acquired infections.
For a better understanding of the market adoption, report provide detailed analysis for major region and countries including North America (US, Canada, Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea and Rest of APAC), and Rest of World. North America has dominated the Blood Culture Tests Market which is attributable to rise in prevalence of bloodstream infection and presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, rise in awareness & acceptance of novel diagnostic method, strong economic growth, and increase in demand for advanced healthcare facilities are contributing toward growth of the market.
Some of the major players operating in the market include Becton Dickinson and Company, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., bioMérieux SA, Luminex Corporation, Danaher Corporation, Bruker Corporation, IRIDICA, Roche Diagnostics, T2 Biosystems, Inc, Anaerobe Systems, Inc.